Highly religious people help others

Gallup released some research October 8, 2008 that shows that highly religious people around the globe help others more then less religious people. According to the study, highly religious people are more likely to give their money and time to those in need.

One of the most interesting findings in this study is this:

the tendency of highly religious people around the world to say they donate their time and money does seem more impressive when you consider that, from a global perspective, those people are consistently poorer than those who are less religious. Among those highly religious respondents worldwide who reported their annual incomes to Gallup, the average figure (converted into international dollars) was about $10,000. Among those less religious respondents who reported their incomes, the average was about $17,500. Seen in this light, the data presented here offer compelling evidence of the role of religious dedication in helping to encourage supportive, community-oriented behaviors in areas where they may be most needed.

It appears that enlightened self-interest is not enough to motivate the vast majority of the less religious to help others. Perhaps because in the end it's still self-interest.

Giving

Pirate's Treasure Chest: Coins
Originally uploaded by WestCoast_Eden

Churches and pastors are often criticized for always asking people for money. I have done some asking but mostly, I have taught on the subject of money from the Bible. Scripture is very clear: followers of Jesus have been blessed so they can give to others. We are to share what we have with others.

20/20 aired a program last Friday night on giving called Cheap In America. I missed the program when it aired but you can watch some of it and read the article here.

It's encouraging to see that religious people are far more likely to give. Christ followers must set the standard for giving. That's my desire for the churches here in Wray and Yuma county. Wouldn't it be amazing if the people in Wray and Yuma county came to our church for help rather than the government? Wouldn't it be something if when the school district needed resources they turned to the church for help?

This is one reason why I get so excited when I look at our church budget. Currently we are giving 10% of our weekly offering to missionaries and programs both around the world and here at home. In the last year we have given to Simple Wisdom Ministries, Deb Prentice of TEAM in Harare, Zimbabwe, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, the Gideons, Hospice of the Plains, and many others.

And as we've done this, are giving has increased! For that I want to thank all of you! Thank you for your faithfulness in giving! Thank you for your responsiveness to God's leading!

I also want to challenge us all. Marnie and I are blessed to live in a house we recently purchased and remodeled. When I see the home we live in and the many blessings God has given us, I am humbled. And I get frightened. Owning homes and accumulating things is scary because Jesus said, "Where your treasure is there your heart is also" (see Matthew 6:19-24). It's hard to own a home and not treat it like a treasure, especially when you just painted and put in new carpet and cork floors! But my must choose to store up treasure in heaven and avoid storing up treasure here on earth. The only way I know how to do that is to give. So Marnie and I regularly look for ways to give. Here's what we are currently supporting:

• Our church (which needs a website!). We give 10% of our income here
  
• Compassion International as sponsors of 2 great kids Johan and Niessa
• Dalit Freedom Network as sponsors of a great little boy named Mahesh
• Bibles Unbound a ministry of Voice of the Martyrs which mails New Testaments in different languages to people all over the world
• TEAM the organization which Deb Prentice is working through in Zimbabwe

So am I trying to brag by listing this? No. I want to share with you all these great ministries and different ways to give beyond your local church. Be encourage to store up treasure in heaven not here on earth.

Culture of generosity

I love listening to sermons. Perhaps you have seen me at the WRAC in the early morning listening to my iPod shuffle. Maybe you thought I was listening to praise and worship music (middle-of-the-road of course, because that's what pastors listen to, right?). Nope. I'm listening to sermons.

Today I listened to a great sermon by Jeff Manion from Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI. The sermon series I am listening to by Jeff is called Culture of Generosity. It is a great sermon concerning the tithe.

If you listen to the sermon, don't be too surprised to hear some of these ideas sometime at First Christian at a later date.