Opportunities For Usefulness

Several months ago, in a large New Jersey parish, the following note was slipped into the Sunday morning collection basket:

Dear Pastor,

In response to your recent sermon about Church support, I wish to inform you that the present condition of my bank account makes it almost impossible for this middle-aged man to be of much help. My shattered financial condition is due to the federal laws, state laws, county laws, corporation laws, mother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, and outlaws. Through these laws, I am compelled to pay a business tax, an amusement tax, a head tax, a school tax, a gas tax, a light tax, a water tax, and a sales tax. Even my brains are taxed.

I am also expected to contribute to every organization or society which the genius of man is capable of bringing to life.

I carry life insurance, property insurance, medical insurance, liability insurance, burglary insurance, accident insurance, business insurance, earthquake insurance, tornado insurance, flood insurance, unemployment insurance, old age insurance…