Editorial: Church multiplies money, blessings in tough times

Editorial: Church multiplies money, blessings in tough times
Editorial Board • argusleader.com • February 19, 2009



South Dakota's State Fair might lose its annual appropriations from the government, putting its future in jeopardy.


The state's medical school doesn't have enough money to expand class sizes the way it needs.


In Sioux Falls, sales tax receipts are markedly down this year, requiring some growth plans to be delayed.

Let's face it. The economic vise that's gripping cities and states throughout the country is producing a string of depressing news.


So the timing's perfect to hear about the delightful turn of events unfolding at Asbury United Methodist Church.

Using a parable found in the Gospels, the Rev. Kip Roozen recently challenged his flock to take 10 $100 bills, multiply them and "invest it in God's kingdom."


The results? Well, a program to help homeless schoolchildren got a $400 boost, the Community Food Banks of South Dakota received $11,500 more for its BackPack Program, a firefighter received an honor, and people who needed something to eat were fed. And much more.


The refreshing outcome is a well-timed reminder that even while layoffs continue and revenue shortfalls in government require excruciating cuts and uncertainty looms almost everywhere, that's not the whole story.

As Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story is what's happening across Sioux Falls at places like Asbury. In those places, people continue to find ways of coming together as a community, of supporting each other and of being their brother's and sister's keepers.


And that's especially good news right about now.