In a Reuters news story from March of 2005, it was reported that tax defaulters in southern India were being forced to “face the music” after city authorities hired drummers to play non stop outside their homes until they paid up. After many residents ignored repeated demands to settle overdue property taxes, authorities in a city in Andhra Pradesh state have sent 20 groups of drummers to play outside offenders’ houses for the past week.
“They put up a spectacle outside the houses of defaulters, draw them out and explain their dues to them and the need to clear it at the earliest,” said T.S.R. Anjaneyulu, municipal commissioner of Rajahmundry city. “They don’t stop until people agree to clear the dues.”
The city, owed a total of 50 million rupees ($1.15 million), had been at its wits’ end after strategies like waiving interest and penalties had failed to recover the arrears. The new method seems to be working, though. One week of incessant drumming has cleared 18 percent of the backlog.
I’d guess you’d call that a “sound” strategy.
But what works for tax collection in India isn’t necessarily the best strategy for raising money for the work of the church. In fact, some people believe that the church is always beating the drum about finances and, when it comes time to talk about pledges, they’d rather plug their ears.
Speaking as a drummer, however, I’d like to offer a different technique to think about our giving. I think of issues like discipleship, giving, and stewardship as being the rhythm that we work by as followers of Christ. As a drummer lays down tracks for a jazz recording or a drumline sets the pace for a marching band, the Gospel of Christ sets our daily rhythm and agenda. We give our time, talent, and treasure not because we are being “beaten” into it, but because we want to be part of the band.
As we move toward our Consecration Sunday this Sunday, November 5, I hope you’ll be hearing the call of God as an invitation to join the band and march to the beat of a different drum—a rhythm of giving and service. Consider how God is calling you to “step up” in your giving in the coming year.
Oh, and on Sunday I promise you that my drumming will be aimed at worship, not extortion!
