Over the years, different methods of stewardship have been visited upon congregations in the United States. The earliest I can recall is one that no longer works. It's called hellfire and brimstone. Most people don't even know what hellfire and brimstone looks or smells like. Those are such old substances that church people won't even talk about them anymore.

Hellfire is, of course, the fire of hell — pretty hot stuff, and it probably stinks of sulphur. And brimstone is a rock that gets so hot in hell that it is perpetually on fire. Those could be sobering concepts for the unconverted to ponder. But they don't work on people who have been committed to the church for years.

The problem with talking about hellfire and brimstone is that the next question in a person's mind is: “Just exactly how much money would I have to give to avoid this torture?” In other words, the penitent is trying to find the easy way out. If I give 20 dollars a week, could I escape the brimstone and what would happen to me if I gave 25 bucks a week? That approach just creates the wrong questions.

The second stewardship method that has been used for years and ought to be thrown out is the global message. This crept into use after World War II, when people began to see the misery around the world. Missionaries were carrying the Gospel message all over the globe, and souls were being converted. Now, when we see starving masses struggling for a tin cup full of grain, we wonder if the clips are reruns from last year.

Legitimate relief work must be happening every single day, every year for the rest of eternity. Somewhere in the world, needy and starving people will not be able to live on their own. The problem with confronting people with emergencies every year is that eventually someone will ask about the ongoing nature of the crisis. Someone will wonder if these are the same people the congregation helped last year. And the year before, wasn't that drought in the same valley — the same region?

Finally, the moxie people will ask why someone doesn't persuade the recipients of the charity to find a way to care for themselves, even in the midst of drought. That's when the pitch for mission dollars will make the most sense. What the congregation needs is a dozen hardworking people who can dig wells, build catchments and dams, teach new crafts and find markets for their wares. That might take the energy of an entire congregation.

Here is the secret that most church members overlook. The people who give the most money are the 20 percent of the congregation that are the most dedicated. They give the most money because it makes them feel good.

They are also the people who will be first to volunteer. These good folk will head up mission projects, shepherd the Sunday school and teach an adult Bible class. They are good people, and every congregation has its own 20 percent who keep the organization rolling toward victory.

You don't need to tell them about hellfire and brimstone, and they will drift off if you tell them, one more time, that world mission needs their moolah. The truth is, world mission will find money somewhere. The real need is in the spiritual hearts of the parishioners.

So, the much better idea is to remind parishioners the real goal of religion is spiritual joy. And the secret for reaching joy is in your heart and head. Here it is — the secret: You have to give yourself away — money, love and compassion. You just don't talk about it. You actually give it away. And then you sit back and wait for joy to arrive.

Clark D. Morphew