People are excited because the PFD coming, and it’s bigger than ever.

It took me awhile to figure out what a PFD was.  I thought the state was giving out life jackets.  As a newcomer I was informed that we need to endure two Alaska winters before we become eligible for a share of the state oil and gas revenue.  I’m really not jealous but this seems like a real opportunity to do important things.

 For many the money will make a real difference in their ability to pay for the rising cost of living.   For some, this will go into savings to pay for future education expenses and for others it will boost needed retirement savings.  But for many folks it will pay for new toys and be used to fund an increase in their overall debt. 

A while ago I learned this stewardship principle:  live on only 80% of your income.  At the national youth assembly this  important lesson was conveyed to our young people.  Save 10% and give 10% to the work of God and live on the other 80%.  For most of us this is a good principle. But with our freedom in the gospel these numbers can be adjusted.   There are times in our life when we need to save more and there is a time in our life when we have enough and it is more important to share.  The point is everyone should be saving and giving.  The larger amount of the PFD this year is an opportunity to make a difference in both areas.

This distribution was made larger because some of us did not trust the government to use this money wisely for the benefit of all.  Can we trust ourselves to be better stewards?  Sometimes the government does wonderful things like:  provide education for all, health care for the vulnerable, infrastructure for the common good, and security and safety for everyone to enjoy .  At its best our government plans for the long term future that will benefit most of our citizens.

  How do we do?  I certainly hope that we don’t end up saying this money would have been better used if the State of Alaska had kept it.  Large infusions of money are often used wastefully or worse the money is used as leverage for deeper debt.  We have an opportunity to help the most needy in our community and the world.  We have an opportunity to grow our ministry at Amazing Grace that will benefit our young people. 

Here are three opportunities to think about when you receive your PFD:

1)  Amazing Grace:  fund the future for our youth and family position.

2)  Help the poor locally.  Through FISH or LSSA

3)  Give to world hunger though the ELCA.

10-10-80 and the PFD.  It is a great way to make a difference.