We just finished talking about what the Bible says about tithes and offerings at Calvary Assembly of God. Right on the heels of this, I noticed this article in the Grand Rapids Press: “Study reveals church giving at lowest point since Great Depression.”
Here are some of the sad findings:
- Regular church attendees aren’t even tithing. The average giving is only 2.4% of the attendees’ income.
- While giving to churches is down, giving to other faith-based organizations is up.
- The study’s authors noted a “long-term turning inward of congregations.” In other words, of the money that is given to churches, less and less of it is going to needs outside of the church’s walls.
- Church’s spending on benevolence has dropped 47% since 1968, and now stands at just 0.35% of attendees’ income.
- “Fewer people are seeing churches as the primary conduit for meeting the larger (charitable and evangelistic) need.”
Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about the overflowing joy of giving to help the needs of others. He commended those with rich generosity, and encouraged the church to excel in this grace of giving.
Here’s the sad fact: The less we give, the less the Good News about God’s love is shared.
God wants us to give because we want to give. Paul even said I am not commanding you to give, but instead…
Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Let’s change this around. Let’s buck the nationwide trend. Remember…
MORE GIVING = MORE GOOD NEWS
!
Craig T. Owens 