One of the great comedians of all time was Jack Benny. He was great because he made us laugh at ourselves… at our weaknesses, our foibles, our selfishness, our greed. You remember, of course, how attached Jack Benny was to his money.

I love that routine where the hold-up man runs up to Jack Benny and shouts: "Your money or your life!" There is a long pause as Jack goes into that familiar pose with his hand on his cheek. Impatiently, the robber demands again: "I said your money or your life!" Jack Benny shouts back: "I'm thinking! I'm thinking!"

Well, in the last few weeks we have been thinking and praying about our money… and our life in the church. This is that time of the year when we talk about money and pledges and financial commitments for next year… and we look at the economic cond…