Thursday, October 30, 2014

October 31, 2014

"For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.  And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.” II Corinthians 8:3-5                                

The American church of today is not great at giving. This isn’t exactly news. But it is a statistical fact: 

·    Tithers make up only 10-25 percent of a normal congregation. 
·   Only 5 percent of the U.S. tithes, with 80 percent of Americans only giving 2 percent of their income. 
·   Christians are only giving at 2.5 percent per capita, while during the Great Depression they gave at a 3.3 percent rate. 

The truth is: Giving is a heart issue, not a money issue. 

Numbers like that can invoke a lot of guilt, which isn’t really the point. The larger point is what would happen if believers were to increase their giving to a minimum of, let's say, 10 percent. There would be an additional $165 billion for churches to use and distribute. The global impact would be phenomenal.

Here's just a few things the Church could do with that kind of money: 

·    $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. 

Those are some amazing numbers.

Those are some world-changing possibilities.

Our "Flow H2O" project that produced $8,500+ to drill a permanent fresh water well in a remote African village is an example of what can happen when a relatively small group of people commit to giving a little extra beyond their tithes!

That village will never be the same and most of us will never miss the money we gave! Giving that didn't hurt us much helped them a lot!

Loving one village to LIFE is a start!

But here's the bottom line - loving is expressed in giving. The more you love the more you will give. If you say you love but do not give the sincerity of your love must be questioned.

You can complain about corrupt and greedy politicians all you want. And you can point to them as problem with our nation, but is their greed the real problem?

Imagine what an extra $165 Billion could do for relieve suffering world-wide, and educating children to elevate living standards around the world in the name of Jesus! Imagine the health care that could be provided to extend the life expectancy of underprivileged children world-wide.

So much could be done if Christians would simply love God enough to obey Him in tithing. How much more could be done if Christians were will to do with less in order to give more! What a shame!

FredWes gives at a higher per capita level  than the average church. That is important for a church that is committed to "loving people to LIFE".

This Sunday we have another opportunity to check how much we love by writing a check to "Flow H2O" as we launch our next well project.

We can do our part to change our world one village at a time!