As I See It

by Fr. Vin

What’s a Windfall For?

Windfall: 1464, from wind (n.) + fall. Originally literal, in reference to wood or fruit blown down by the wind, and thus free to all. Figurative sense of "unexpected acquisition" is recorded from 1542.

-- From the Online Etymology Dictionary

Our government, hoping to avoid a possible recession, has decided to send most taxpayers a check.  The plan, as I understand it, is to have people spend that money and so to stimulate the economy.  I’m no economist and can’t judge whether this is a good idea, but it does raise a religious and moral question: What am I to do with this unexpected money?

My situation may well be different from yours, but I don’t need this money for necessities: I’ve budgeted without expecting any such windfall (see above).  My first inclination would be to put it into my retirement savings – which is contrary to the purpose our government has in mailing me the check.  I don’t see the point of spending it on things I don’t need, just to spend, when there are people who need this money far more than I do and would be almost certain to spend it on true necessities for themselves or their families.  So I have a plan, which may include you, and which I’ll describe just below.

Many of you probably aren’t in my situation.  If you need your windfall from our government (really from your children and grandchildren, since the money will just be borrowed and added to the national debt) to pay the heating or the gas bill, use  it for that – for your own sake (and, if the government’s economic plan is correct, for the common good as well).  If you have credit card debts, pay those down.  Even if you don’t have such pressing needs, but have been living on a shoestring for months or years and could use a little breathing room, or a night out, use it – or at least part of it --  for that.

But if some part of your government check is helpful but not truly necessary, consider what I’ve decided to do.  We all owe something to what our church tradition calls “the common good.”  The government says that the common good (of avoiding a recession, at least) will be best served if the windfall rebate checks are spent.  I won’t spend it on things I don’t truly need, just to spend it.  So I’m going to give my rebate away, through Parish Social Ministry.  They will make sure that 100% of it goes to people who will spend it (thus fulfilling the government’s hopes) on true necessities (thus fulfilling mine). 

If you don’t truly need your own rebate, either for pressing expenses or for credit-card or other debt, why not consider joining me?  We could be a great deal of help to some truly needy people with those $600 or $1,200 checks (or even parts of them).

Our parish has set up a special fund for this: every cent contributed will go to Parish Social Ministry, and they will give every cent to the poor they serve.  Anything contributed to this fund will be in addition to the ministry’s usual budget.  And the diocese has assured me that it will not tax such contributions in any way.

I’d be delighted if we, together, could do something extra with this windfall – both for the government’s purposes (and our nation’s economy), for the truly poor in our midst, and for our souls.  I’ll keep you posted.  Until next week, peace.

 (To contribute all or part of your rebate to Parish Social Ministry, make out your own check payable to Our Lady of Grace and mark it for “Tax Rebate – for the poor.”  You may put it into the Sunday offering, or leave it at the Parish Office.  All contributions will be distributed through Parish Social Ministry.)