Primetime America’s radio broadcast aired a segment on Christian giving in a down economy on yesterday’s program. The guest speaker presented numerous survey results and trends on giving, both within the church and to other charitable organizations. One item really stood out for me and I would like to share with you.
The average Christian gives 2.5% of their income to the church, but if every Christian gave 10% of their income as mentioned in the Bible, it translates to an additional $168 billion dollars to do God’s work around the world.
What could we do with $168 billion dollars to help God’s people or to bring the gospel to the unbelieving?
Our church recently shared these statistics with us about the 10/40 Mission field.
3.9 Billion People (Two-thirds of the world’s population) lives in the 10/40 window and 95% have never heard the good news
870 million Muslims
550 million Hindus
275 million Buddhists
85% are among the poorest people in the world – income less than $500/year
Let me do a calculation for you of what $168 billion dollars can do. $168 billion dollars divided by 3.9 billion people = $43/person in aid, equal to a months’ salary or more to most of these people.
How thankful would you be at receiving a gift equivalent to a month’s salary to help you through a difficult time? Would you want to know what made someone so generous to give so much to you? Would you see Jesus in that person and want to know this Savior for yourself? That is how missions work, a great need is met, a relationship built, and joy is discovered all through the love of Christ.
Instead of humanitarian aid, that $168 billion dollars could help bring bibles to every person in their own native language, so that they could have access to God’s word on a daily basis. I have seven Bibles in my home, but most of the people of the world do not have access to even one. According to Southern Nazarene University’s Christian Missions website, scripture has been translated into only 2,212 of the world’s 6500 languages. What we tend to take for granted some consider a cherished possession.
What will you do in the upcoming year to affect the world for Christ? How has God shown you love and compassion that you might use what He has given you to help others? How much do you trust in God to be your provider and to meet your needs? How willing are you to be obedient to His call to love your neighbor and to spread the gospel?
Giving is a process of faith and trust. The more you step out in faith, the more you become reliant on God to meet your needs. As God meets those needs, and increases your blessings because of faithful stewardship, the more you learn to trust Him. The more you trust, the more you give. The more you give, the more the world benefits.
May God work in your life so abundantly that you will be a cheerful giver and a faithful steward, overflowing with faith, trust, and love!
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