I hope I am not being too harsh in this and the related article. The true situations that have inspired both are quite upsetting to me. I want to just shake the folks who made the decisions in both instances and ask, "Don't you realize we are in a recession? Don't you realize the extreme financial distress many people are in?"

I don't know if the decision makers in either situation have ever had to decide whether to feed themselves or to feed their child; whether they have been in a situation where they have no idea how a medical or dental problem will be taken care of, or if they will live in a home of their own for another month—but many people in our churches today are struggling with these issues. The financial amounts may seem small to whoever made the decisions, but no financial amount is small to many people today.

I imagine the decisions were made in an unthinking way, with no intention to hurt anyone and with that hope in mind, the following situation (and the article that follows) is shared so that no one in your church will unintentionally hurt anyone else. Read on for the specifics.....

Be very clear about financial obligations in Christmas invitations

True situation here: a church created a ticket for a Christmas concert. It stated that the event was free. That's great. However, on the back, it listed the "Benefit Charities" for each performance.

What does that mean? Is it free or not? Will they be taking up an offering? Will that feel awkward?

After checking into the situation some more, I discovered that:

• The event was free.
• Each performance the featured charity would be highlighted.
• The refreshments served at the event, coffee, beverages, and cookies would be for sale and the proceeds would go to the charity.

The church was also strongly encouraging church members to invite unchurched friends.

Beyond clarity, think through the possible outcome of your decision

Please consider what might happen if:

• A church member doesn't know about charging for goodies, he has only seen the tickets.
• The church member has been laid off work, but could really use a night out.
• The church member invites a neighbor who has several kids because he knows they also really need a night out because the dad has been laid off and mom's salary barely pays for the house payment. Special times or treats aren't in the budget.
• They show up at church and the kids see the goodies and rush over to the table. "Not so fast.....those cookies are $1. each. It is going to charity you know," says the person entrusted with the cookie table.
• The church member has no cash with him, since his layoff  he intentionally doesn't carry any so he won't be tempted to spend foolishly. The neighbor has a dollar in his pocket. The kids don't know what to do.

Hard to say how this will end.

May the Lord help us be sensitive to needs

I imagine somebody thought it would be a really nice way to help out some charities because giving is down and that is a good thought.

But there might be alternative ways to do that such as donation baskets by the goodie tables.

Charging for goodies at special events is not a good idea no matter what the motivation. Even many people who can afford it don't always bring cash in these days of debit cards. At best, charging for goodies is being an unthinking host and at worst it might mean causing embarrassment and pain to someone already in the worst financial situation of their lives.

People are hurting today, please please pray and think through sensitivity and how you might give,  not only to charities but to the people closest to you who are in need.