The Beggar At Your Gates: A Nation Of Givers?
Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure-pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you in return.
Luke 6:38 (NASB)
'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,' says the Lord of hosts, 'if I will not open for you the windows of Heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.'
Malachi 3:10 (NASB)
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Mark 12:41-42 (NIV)
'If friendship with the world is enmity with God' (James 4:4), then the U.S. is doing something right. We’re on the world’s ‘Most Hated Nations’ list.*
That being said, no one can dispute that America is a land of givers:
'America was the world's most generous country this past decade, according to the Charities Aid Foundation's World Giving Index, which surveyed 1.3 million people in 125 countries. Not only do we give money, but 72% of Americans help strangers, and 42% of us volunteer. We grew more generous during the pandemic: 2020 and 2021 donations each topped 2019.’ (Axios).*
Fantastic! But are we giving to God? Church giving and tithing keeps declining.
I’ve seen pastors 'begging' congregations for the essential funds to stay open. How far can churches go without fuel? How long can churches thrive without eating? God says, 'Do not muzzle an ox when it is treading the grain' (Deuteronomy 25:4).
Should houses of worship become beggars? Three things are certain:
God doesn't need any of our money.
Jesus watches our giving carefully.
Everything we give is MORE THAN returned by our flawlessly faithful Rewarder..
The Beggar At Your Gates: A Nation Of Givers? (Part 4)
* Why? Lots of reasons. Do some googling:)
** https://www.axios.com/2022/03/09/america-charitable-giving-stats-ukraine
* DipNote is the official blog of the U.S.Department of State. http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/global_philanthropy_harnessing_generosity_giving_tuesday
* World Giving Index: http://www.cafonline.org/pdf/World_Giving_Index_2011_191211.pdf/
* Barna report on tithing: http://www.tithing.com/blog/tithing-declines-barna-study/
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.