- There's an active debate and discussion of the "validity" of the tithe (giving 10% of our income) and whether or not it's a command of God in our lives today. Look here and here for some samplings...
- Depending on the survey you look at, giving among church-goers in America appears to be around 2-3% of our gross incomes.
- If the average family credit card debt is around $9,000, at 18% interest... that's about $135 just on the credit card interest every month (or roughly 3% of the average household income in our area) that contributes to big bank buildings, Wall Street, etc...
- I think it's awesome that over 400 people signed up for the latest GCC Dave Ramsey class.
- The more we give to well managed churches, the more the impact can be on our world.
- I am one of the wealthiest people on this planet (if you live in America and have food in your cabinets, so are you.) Much is expected of me. All that I have has been given to me to "manage" and I won't take it with me when I die.
- Giving has changed me as a person. My heart truly does follow where my money goes...
- If I don't have a goal or a target to shoot for, I really don't get much accomplished...
So here's how I see it... Can we all increase our giving by 1% of our gross income this year? If you don't give, start with 1%. If you give 10%, try to push to 11%. Now the fun part, you get to choose where... pick the best managed, God-ordained, life changing church or organization you're led to.... and give there... One study suggests if church-goers would give 10%, annual giving would increase by over $190 billion dollars per year.... Look what that could do.... Whether you're an Old Testament giver or New Testament giver.... I still believe that we the church can change our world, let's see what God will do!
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