DRAMA PRESENTATION (to be used at Corps during Planned Giving - PDF document

DRAMA PRESENTATION (to be used at Corps during Planned Giving program) THEME: Giving SITUATION: A couple discussing their giving to the church uncovers a ‘deeper problem. CHARACTERS: Bob – the husband. (Annoyed with the Pastor’s sermon about ‘giving’. Vicki – the wife. (Seriously considering the idea of giving more money to the church.) PLACE: Their living room. (as simple or as elaborate as you care to make it. Two chairs centre stage would certainly be enough to set the scene). SKETCH (Two chairs centre stage. Bob & Vicki enter – having just arrived home from church. Bob is obviously agitated – almost comically so. Vicki is preoccupied with a chequebook she is scrutinizing. Bob is speaking as he enters.) Bob: (Moving toward TV downstage and mimes turning it on as he speaks) Give, give, give. He held us up fifteen minutes extra with another message about giving. I bet I’ve missed half the game because he couldn’t “kick a goal!” (Looks at TV, gestures to it) He is obviously NOT a football fan. Why do preachers feel compelled to do that? Vicki: He doesn’t do it that often. In fact, I can’t remember the last time he talked about giving. Why are you so annoyed – anyway? Bob: Because everyone wants our money, that’s why. The charities on the telly, in the magazines and newspapers; the letters in the post – they all want a piece of my bank account. I’m tired of it! (Sits down to watch TV) Vicki: No! You’re just mad because you missed a little bit of the football game. Bob: A little bit? The first half, thank you! If a man wants my money, it’s not advisable for him to make me miss the match. Vicki: What about God? Bob: I am sure He understands the necessity of football. Vicki: It doesn’t work that way. (Moves to TV) Bob: (Sees her move, watches her anxiously knowing full well what she is going to do) Wait! Don’t! We’ll talk. (She turns it off) She turned the TV off. ( Puts face in hands). It’s a conspiracy. She’s in on it, too. (Looks up at her as if she has his undivided attention). Giving. Right! I’m ready to have a meaningful dialogue.

Vicki: (Sits next to him) Good. I think we should consider increasing what we’ve been giving. Bob: Increasing? (Stands and moves away as he speaks) What do we increase? Time? Between the two of us we’re at the church every night. That doesn’t count Saturday mornings, Sunday services, and afternoons. Vicki: I’m talking about money. Bob: So am I. What price do we put on our time? Vicki: I didn’t know we were supposed to do that. Bob: Maybe we should start. Everybody else does. Did you know that John and Brenda hardly give to the church at all? They figure they give their fair share in time. If we followed that rule, the church would have to give us a refund! Vicki: Th at’s John and Brenda. (pause/beat) I thought we were doing this as a matter of personal conviction. Bob: We are. But maybe we’re too …. convicted! Vicki: You’re not serious. I’ve been looking through our bank statement and – well, do you realise we’re not even giving 10% of what we bring in? Bob: Since when is 10% a magic number? Vicki: It’s mentioned in the Bible. Bob: Literally or figuratively? We give what we can afford. Vicki: Can we afford not to give at least 10%? Bob: You and the Pastor are obviously in cahoots. Look, we’re tight financially. Your new car and my golf clubs didn’t come cheap. Not to mention the other things we buy to keep us happy in the lifestyle to which we’ve become accustomed. Vicki: But, Bob …. Bob: Do you want to t ake over our finances? Go ahead. They’re yours. Vicki: That’s not what I’m saying. This has nothing to do with your ability to handle our finances. Bob: Then why are we talking about this? Vicki: Because I was affected by what Pastor Dave said this morning. We should consider giving more than we have been.

Bob: And whose pocket will it come out of? Are you willing to tighten up more – cut back on clothes, shoes, nights out after choir practise? Vicki: If you’re willing to cut back on golf, foxtel sport, and stereo equipment – then, yes I am! Bob: (Laughs in disbelief) We’ll see. (Long pause) Vicki: This idea wasn’t meant to be a tug -of-war. (Shakes her head, confused) . I don’t understand what’s happening here. I always believed that we gave fr om our hearts – together – not on strict budgetary guidelines. (Pauses, stands, takes a step towards Bob, then stops) Do you remember when we first accepted Christ? It was right after we got married. We were in that little flat and you worked at that dry-cleaning place. I was working – where was I working? Bob: (half smiles) Some coffee shop. Leo’s or something. Vicki: That’s right. My feet still hurt just thinking about it. You used to pick me up and we’d have devotions over a cup of coffee. Remember? (Pause/beat) We didn’t have much money but I know we gave a lot more than 10%. Percentages didn’t matter back then. Bob: We were new Christians. Vicki: And we were giving to the Lord. Out of love for Him. Bob: (Slow to admit it) I remember. Vicki: But here we are now in an ‘upper -middle- class tax bracket’ and we can’t afford to give what we used to. (Pause) Maybe God needs to take back what He’s given to us so we can. (He gives no reaction, she sighs) . Go back to your football game. I’m finished . (She turns and exits) Bob: (Almost as a delayed reaction, he calls after her) Vicki … Vic … I’m just trying to be … (Regular tone, almost to himself) practical. (Thoughtful pause) It’s certainly not like it used to be. (Sadly) I wonder why that is? (He frowns and slowly turns away ….. exits) (Blackout. The discussion leader takes over)