Scrooge Nation: could welfare be eroding community?

Growing up I really did not like Charles Dickens' novel, A Christmas Carol. All I could see was a grumpy, mean old man with regrets and yes, a scary ghost or two. To my young mind this was not the stuff of Christmas. I am glad to say that over the years I have matured and learned to appreciate A Christmas Carol and would even name it among my favorites.

Early in the novel, Ebenezer Scrooge is approached by two fellow businessmen and asked to make a donation to the local orphanage. You may recall Scrooge's response, "No." Do you recall his rationale? He reasons away his lack of charity because he pays taxes. Since the government takes a part of his tax to help fund the orphanage, he has already made a contribution.

Do you know when American giving was at it's apex?

*During the Great Depression. Yup, when people had the least amount to give, they gave the most. Is it possible that the sense of community, caring for one's neighbor and bearing each other's burdens led to charity on the micro level? In other words, people were giving locally in order to care for their community, more specifically the people in their community.

Is it also not possible that the growth of the welfare state has contributed to the decrease in charitable giving because like Scrooge we, as a nation, view our taxes in part as a charitable contribution?

Additionally, I wonder if welfare implies that the government is caring for my neighbor and I am in turn absolved from my responsibility to my neighbor. In a sense, I have "subcontracted" my responsibility to the government. This article by Arthur C. Brooks seems to confirm that idea.

As "Soaps" said in response to the first blog about community, "When I am my brother's keeper n he is my keeper Community happens :)"


I am not advocating a total stop to welfare, nor is this intended to become a political post and debate. Rather the focus is on community.


What do you think? Is it possible that welfare enables a conscious, or even subconscious, abdication of our duty/responsibility to our neighbor and community? Might another unintended, and ironic consequence be the weakening of community and a strengthening of classism?


As always I look forward to your comments.




* I have been looking for this stat but can not find it. If anyone has this verified lease let us know. I know I have read that as a percentage of personal income people gave just over 3%, now people give on average less than 3%.

What makes a community, a community?

To all who are stopping by, thank you very much. Right up front I want you to know that I could really use your help. In a moment I will share my thoughts on what makes a community and I really want to see your thoughts as well. In the coming weeks I will be doing some interviews and research about community, and your input will be helpful. Besides that, I think you are interesting and I would love to get your input on the topic as well. OK, me first.

I think that what makes a community a community is people. That may seem like a "duh" statement to you, but I find it profound. Community is not a place. A place doesn't become a community until it becomes populated. before that it is wilderness!

If people are the source of community, then what people are necessary for a community? More to the point, what people make up a healthy community. Let's define "healthy" as a place where people want to live. A place where people live in safety and mutual respect. Even if only for the most part. Think about, or imagine a neighborhood where you would want to live. I think I have said enough as I don't want to lead you to certain answers. Hopefully that is just detailed enough to not be too vague, nor too closed a scenario.

Borrowing from the educational paragon that is Sesame Street, "Who are the people in your neighborhood"?

I think a community is made up of leaders, people with a vision of a future of opportunity and promise. Leaders with a compelling vision will attract followers. There are those who provide. Those who protect. Those who nurture and those who heal. In short:

Soldiers
Police
Farmers
Tradesmen
Teachers
Doctors
Artists
Entrepreneurs

To that list I would add two very broad categories, givers and takers.

In the category of giver there are heroes - unsung heroes who serve the community in virtual anonymity but whose presence, whether known or unknown enhances community.

My questions for you and where I need your help are as follows:

In your opinion, what makes a community a community?

Who would you add to the list of people in the community?

Do you know of an unsung hero in your community? If so, name them and honor them here!

Thanks so much, I am really excited to see your responses.

Hungary for more

As the plane drifted through a blue sky and over a mix of red roofed homes, Communist-era buildings and medieval architecture, a sense of excitement mixed with fear washed over me. I was weary from 20 hours of trans-Atlantic travel and the city of Budapest sprawled below. How would Keynote’s story and communication training go over in Budapest? Yet another faith opportunity was before me.

Our team with the Hungarian students

This past week I had the incredible privilege of leading a team of Keynote staff to Budapest. Our task; to train the student leaders and hopefully future staff of Campus Crusade for Christ in Hungary in communication skills and how to weave God’s character into their personal stories. To say that this last week was a smashing success would be an understatement.

First I want to say that the Keynote staff were fantastic to work with. As a leader at Keynote, I saw again the talent, level of commitment to our mission, and love for God that makes our staff so incredible. I could not be more proud of them.

Here are a few of the most satisfying tings I heard from the students and staff in Hungary who were observing the students as we trained them.

“This is the most effective training we have ever had in communication. We have had a lot of training, but you guys focus on the spiritual and clearly practice what you preach.” Lotsi, Student Ministries Director

“We are closer as a team than ever before. Though we have known each other for years we learned things about each other we never knew. You encouraged us to go deep.” David, student leader and organizer of training.

“Our staff members wish they could have been at the training!” Dan Butts, Founder of CCC, Hungary

“You are different from other teachers. You focus on God and care about us. You not only tell us how to communicate, you show us.” Sean, student leader attending training

Lotsi, the Student Ministries Director went so far as to tell us that he could see the growth in communication skills and spiritual maturity in the students. It is his hope that we can return and train the rest of the Hungarian staff. Not only that, they hope to be trained to train others as we have done with our partnerships in Brazil, Panama, Singapore etc.

This trip was easily one of the most rewarding I have been involved in my 23 years on staff with Keynote. I am eager to see where God will grow this ministry after our training and hopeful for our future partnership with the Hungary staff. I am so grateful to my many friends who have made this even possible. This fantastic trip is not possible, nor successful without the prayers and support of our faithful ministry partners. 

Beautiful city, Beautiful people

In this post I have been pretty open about my faith. Rest assured, that people of all faiths, including no faith, are more than welcome to be a part of this blog. After all, we are all on this journey together, and we can all celebrate each other's joys and mourn each other's losses.  I would love to hear your story of a trip you loved. When have you met people and been a part of something energizing and life giving to you?

Serve Someone

As a youth I remember being puzzled when Bob Dylan sang, “you gotta serve someone.”

Two thousand years before that Jesus of Nazareth said, “Where a man’s treasure is, that is where his heart is.” Now that I am older (and hopefully wiser) I see that Bob Dylan was paraphrasing Jesus.

It has been said that you can tell where a man’s ‘treasure’ is by looking at his checkbook.  In short, we ‘serve’ what we love.

I have recently been challenged to consider my ‘treasure’ as my L.I.F.E.

Labor            Influence            Finances            Expertise

These are the gifts, or treasures, entrusted to each of us. (by God?)  The question then becomes, “Will we love the gift or the gift giver?” 

If we love the gift, our time, talent and finances will be things to hoard. We love them so we will hold to them tightly, giving begrudgingly. I may share, and I may even share willingly at times, but there will always be a subtle sense of pride, or feeling that I am ‘owed’ something in return: thanks, honor, a tax deduction.

On the other hand, if I love the gift giver I see the gifts as less significant and not a part of “me.” These gifts have come to me through the generosity of my benefactor, not by my merit. As such I act as steward, not owner. Whence the gift came, more can come. I now can develop an abundance mentality rather than a scarcity mentality. I can give with joy, knowing that my benefactor can provide for my needs. I can be a part of my benefactor’s provision for the needs of others.

My love for God, the giver, allows me to serve Him. I am free from the bondage of serving my treasure. I am free to give away my gifts as an act of love and service to God and his people. In this we live out the apostle Paul’s admonishment that we are bond servants to God who rewards our servitude with freedom. The alternative is to live in bondage to our treasure. After all, we all gotta serve someone.


I don't know that a belief in God, god, or gods, is a prerequisite for a life of generosity. I do find it helpful and rewarding. Regardless of your belief in a "higher power" I would love to hear your thoughts. What do you serve and why?