Give & Change

I heard this article referenced the other day, so after knowing the subject of yesterday's post, I knew this article would make for an interesting extension. Again, as I did yesterday, I don't share this as a point of condemnation, but conviction, for I know once again, I could to be and should be doing more.

But as we talk about culture and community and the realities of people's struggles when it comes to economics and quality of life it's pretty incredible to consider what would happen if the church gave as Christ calls and commands us to give. So look at some statistics that were posted on a blog at Relevant Magazine last spring.

In your average congregation, only 10-25% give tithes.
Only 5% of the United States tithes, with 80% of American's only giving 2% of their income (which by definition, is not a tithe)
Christians in the Great Depression gave more at 3.3% per capita, than today's Christians at 2.5%

So here's the power of giving, if every Christian actually gave a minimum of 10% of their income.

The work of the ministry would have 165 BILLION to move forward!! If you aren't sure how long that will last, consider these numbers

– $25 billion could relieve global hunger, starvation and deaths from preventable diseases in five years.
– $12 billion could eliminate illiteracy in five years. 
– $15 billion could solve the world’s water and sanitation issues, specifically at places in the world where 1 billion people live on less than $1 per day. 
– $1 billion could fully fund all overseas mission work.
– $100 – $110 billion would still be left over for additional ministry expansion. 

Eliminate illiteracy? Solve world water and sanitation problems? Fully fund all overseas missions?

And the open ended question after all the specifics are taken care... God what you have us do with $100 Billion that's left over? It's hard to imagine how churches could impact and forever change their communities. It's hard not to consider how much more churches could accomplish if they eliminated their debt and mortgages? My mind is blown.

On that note, pray this #communitySaturday, that the church would indeed be people who give. May our hearts be opened as well as our eyes, to not only see the needs and perhaps understand them, but to respond to do something positive to change them. May we be people who love, in word and deed, time and resources. Pray God would call and us and move us to be the blessing to others that He has been to us.

For it is not ours, but His.
May we give us unto the Lord
As much as we work unto Him.
To change someone else's world
By changing how we take care of our own.
For the glory of God
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC