[Episcopal News Service] Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation (EGR) is suggesting that Americans who will receive economic stimulus checks from the U.S. government beginning in May should give all or part of the money to organizations working to alleviate global poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

The checks are being given in the hope that people will spend the money to bolster a stagnant U.S. economy.

"With a $9 trillion national debt, and a record and growing trade deficit undergirding a society that consumes goods far beyond its need, the call to consume more isn't just indefensible economically, but environmentally and morally," EGR said in a news release.

The group's "Give It 4 Good Campaign" is not primarily a fund-raising campaign, though raising money for ministries and organizations working to end extreme poverty is an intended consequence, the group's release said. The purpose of Give It 4 Good is to foster a conversation about how to follow Christ in a culture of over-consumption -- "and to give people a chance to put their treasure where their heart is," the EGR release said.

"We have an economy that is based on over-consumption, one that puts our consumer desires above all other values," says the Rev. Mike Kinman, EGR executive director. "It has caused us to cripple the creation with which God has entrusted us. It has led us into war. It has led us to look at our sisters and brothers around the world not as children of God but as objects in supply chains.

"And every step of the way, it is eating away at our nation's soul."

Kinman said the campaign suggests "choosing compassion over consumption."

"It's recognizing the link between our everyday consumer decisions and the economic systems that produce and sustain extreme poverty," he said in the release. "Like everything else, it's about wrestling with the question, 'What would Jesus do?'"

EGR is encouraging people to make a Give It 4 Good pledge which takes about 2 minutes to make online.

People whose income is either too high or too low to receive checks are asked to determine what their check would be if they qualified (based on marital status and number of dependent children) and give all or part of that amount.

Several levels of giving are offered -- from 100% to 10% (a tithe) to as little as 0.7%.

The campaign's website has a running tally of who has given, how much has been pledged and the organizations that are benefitting. There are also related advocacy actions as well as materials for personal and congregational study. Sunday bulletin inserts linking the campaign to lectionary readings are also available.

As of late April 14, 161 people had taken the pledge, donating nearly $43,000 to MDG-related causes. The most common destination for gifts was Episcopal Relief and Development and the MDG Inspiration Fund, but people are also using their gifts to support diocesan MDG projects and the work of Episcopal missionaries in Africa, the release said.