Free Money

This week’s blog post is written by my colleague Phil Smith.

In the last few weeks, Congress passed a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package. Over $2 trillion! I’ve worked in the financial services industry for years, but I can’t wrap my head around that much money.

The funds, which will be sent to millions of people across the United States, are designed to help Americans weather this shared crisis and stimulate the national economy. And in a small way, I’ll be a direct beneficiary. Based on my read—and I may be wrong—my take could be close to $3,000.

Perhaps you’re like me and have already started thinking about what to do with the money.

We might put it into savings—after all, we have no idea what the economy will look like in the next few months. Or we might spend it on that extravagant wish list item—be it a new laptop, treadmill, or motorcycle. Or we might use it to upscale our summer vacation—a refreshing thought after spending weeks in quarantine!

Trust me, I’ve already considered each of these ideas … and more! But, every one of them has left me feeling restless. Why? Because, for many in our nation, the COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated business closures, income loss, and unemployment. In the past four weeks alone, over 17 million Americans have filed for unemployment. For those who suddenly find themselves out of work, this stimulus check is a lifeline in an ocean of financial need. And for some, it might be far from enough.

Not only that, but we know this economic fallout extends far beyond the United States. Around the globe, millions of men and women are out of a job—many without margin or a government-sponsored stimulus package to support them in this fragile time.

Truthfully, I don’t need a $3,000 stimulus check. My work has pivoted smoothly to virtual, my income hasn’t changed, and I have savings to weather this economic storm. While all of our lives have felt the impact of COVID-19 in some way, my family has not suffered a personal financial crisis. And, I know there are others like us.

In this moment, what would it look like to generously lend a hand to our brothers and sisters—whether in our own community or around the world—who need a financial miracle? Imagine what it would be like if hundreds, thousands, even millions of Christ-followers committed to giving away their stimulus checks to those in need. (That’s over a billion dollars of generosity!)

Imagine what kind of example that would be to a watching world.

In James 2:14-17, we’re reminded that faith goes hand-in-hand with action: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

When we consider those directly impacted by COVID-19, let’s continue to love deeply and pray boldly. But at the same time, let’s ask God to open our eyes to the ways that we can creatively steward our stimulus checks and generously respond to the needs around us right now.

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To join Phil and many others in repurposing the stimulus check, visit Share the Stimulus or Freely Give.

After seven years of serving as the director of HOPE savings group programs, Phil Smith has recently transitioned to a new role as the senior development ambassador on the HOPE team. In this role, he engages people in HOPE’s mission and works with churches to engage the body of Christ in addressing global poverty.