A preacher went to his congregation to ask for a raise because his wife was expecting a baby.

After much consideration and discussion, they passed a rule that whenever the preacher's family expanded, so would his paycheck.

These raises began to get expensive after six children, and the congregation held another meeting to discuss the preacher's salary.

There was much yelling and bickering about how much the clergyman's additional children were costing the church.

Finally, the preacher got up and spoke to the crowd. "Children are a gift from God," he said.

Silence fell on the congregation.

From the back pew, a little old lady stood up and said, in a frail voice, "Rain is also a gift from God, but when we get too much, we wear rubbers."

And the congregation said, "Amen."