Church Hands Out Money to Worshippers to Share With Others

A Chicago church gave out $12,000 in cash to members of its congregation Sunday with instructions to use the funds to help their neighbors in need.

Rev. Jackson Crum of Park Community Church delivered a sermon about the city's struggles with crime and other problems. At the end, the ushers who usually pass the collection plates handed out envelopes containing varying amounts of cash. Most of the envelopes had a few dollars inside, but some had as much as $100.

Rev. Crum challenged his congregation to put the cash toward improving their community where they think it will do the most good. From the pulpit he asked, "Isn't that why we're here as a church? Aren't we here to be engaged with our city?"

Crum told the Chicago Tribune that the cash came from the church’s general fund.  He said, "Typically, a church says, 'Help us, tithe.’ But how often does a church pass it back out and say, 'You do it. You invest.'"

Several members said they plan to add their own money to the envelope and find a creative way to help someone in need.