I came across the following today on this guy's blog. This is very disturbing to me. I think it should bother you as well. Would love to know your thoughts.
The Problem That Currently Exists In American Churches
- Christians are giving at a 2.5% per capita or tithe. During the Great Depression, they gave at a 3.3% rate.
- Today, 33-50% of church members, those who claim they have bought in at a deep level to your ministry, give nothing.
- If we were able to have our people increase their giving from 2.5% to 10% of their annual income, an additional $165 billion would flow into the Kingdom. To show the global impact those resources could make, consider the following:
- $25 billion would relieve global hunger, starvation, and deaths from preventable diseases in 5 years.
- $12 billion would eliminate illiteracy in 5 years.
- $15 billion would 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 would fully fund the Great Commission.
- $100 – $110 billion would still be left over for additional ministry expansion.
These statistics were provided by www.generouschurch.com.
4 comments:
This bothers me too. For a few reasons.
1) It bothers me because many MANY people in churches today truly believe they don't have/make enough money to afford to give and looking at their budgets proves it. As a society we have more money outgoing than we do income.
2) Almost everyone could afford to give, given the proper tools and attention.
3) Within the church family is the perfect setting for discussion and teaching about finances, but we are afraid to talk about money with each other because a) none of us are perfect in our money-management and b) we rarely if ever have a level of intimacy with each other which allows for such frank conversation.
4) I know from experience what a difference can be made with even the tiniest budget, but a Kingdom mindset (Christianity itself) must consist of a collective effort toward an eternal purpose. Lots of tiny budgets in the framework of community can accomplish the impossible. But the church lacks community.
Jonathan,
Thanks for posting my information. I'm glad you enjoyed the post and hope it adds value to your readers.
Also, I hope things are going great at your church.
Brian
Well, first of all, long time reader, first time responder...I think that you posting this Blog, Jonathan, is very interesting. Your stats and figures are quite correct, even though again you used a Christian resource in order to back up a Christian view to a mass audience of Christian and Non-Christian readers. Henceforth, your view in bias in your thesis.
Anywho, I am not bashing your views and opinions, in fact I am only going to support them in a forward progression. According to Bjorn Lomborg, famous author of the "Skeptical Environmentalist" and "Cool It", he backs up your conclusion of the waste of what little money is given from the general public and more importantly the "priorities" of what to do with the funds.
What causes the lack of tithing and/or giving to the church? There are numerous reasons: Lack of funds, too scared, don't believe it, money hungry pastors, etc. Leading to the why are these people not tithing and how can I, personally, change their views.
Has the church abused the need of money, or giving to the church, maybe. Has the average pastor in any religion abuse the scriptures to have their church give more, maybe. Have the leaders of the church used scared tactics to receive more funds from the weaker class individual, maybe. The main point, it is hard to ask somebody that looks "up" to the church to give money when the church looks "down" at them. They (the average church goer) are simply misguided.
This is why I have posted about Bjorn Lomborg earlier. He is a Christian, yes. He is Belgium, yes. He is a Statistics professor that has shown the errors of governments spending methods, however, in both of his books, he never mentions the power of giving in a Christian aspect. Only that it is the morally, ethically, and human act of kindness, love, and compassion.
Sounds familiar, sounds nice, sounds quite convincing. Personally, I haven't heard those descriptive words ( kindness, love, and compassion) from a pastor's mouth when it comes to tithing and giving, only, "its in scripture". However, I could have just been too busy text messaging my buddy at the time.
I've ranted enough. This is not an exit.
It is a sad fact.
A true Christian is tested by being able to give the tithe to the house of God. I believe that if one gives his 10% share of the gross income floodgates of blessings do come.
God said it so in Malachi 3:10 -
"Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing."
Tithing is a big test that a true Christian must pass.
Post a Comment