Now, I know I semi-quoted Ronald Sider, who is a Christian Leftist. I don't agree with his theology, but he has made one good point in a book he wrote: "The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience." Before going on, even Christian cults, which to me include the Roman Catholic Church, can be right on at least one doctrine or insight. Even though I hate the Christian Left's perspective.
That said, are we making a terrible mistake in most churches by not going almost all out in touting the need for giving to the hard-working poor here at home and the totally impoverished overseas? I do not include those that can work but choose not to, because the bible tells us not to even feed such people (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
This issue is very near and dear to me, and I have wanted to find a way to volunteer in a way that encourages people to give more. The reason I quoted Ronald Sider is because he argues that if American Christians were to contribute a true tithe to the poor and their churches, then we would almost wipe out absolute poverty, poverty so bad it can lead to death. All while paying for running our churches and bank rolling missions with billions of dollars. (What Is Absolute Poverty? - Definition, Causes & Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com)
Of course, we cannot eliminate poverty for Jesus himself said we will always have the poor among us (John 12:8, Mark 14:7, Matthew 26:11). However as the bible makes clear we can do the work of God in helping the impoverished (2 Corinthians 8:13-15 among many others). We can even do so in a way that future generations will marvel at with just 10% of our income going to missions, the poor and needy, and running our churches.
The so called "scandal" or "crisis" for evangelicals and baptists as well is that the vast majority of churchgoers don't tithe and in fact give well below the tithe. (American Donor Trends - Barna Group)
That said, are we making a terrible mistake in most churches by not going almost all out in touting the need for giving to the hard-working poor here at home and the totally impoverished overseas? I do not include those that can work but choose not to, because the bible tells us not to even feed such people (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
This issue is very near and dear to me, and I have wanted to find a way to volunteer in a way that encourages people to give more. The reason I quoted Ronald Sider is because he argues that if American Christians were to contribute a true tithe to the poor and their churches, then we would almost wipe out absolute poverty, poverty so bad it can lead to death. All while paying for running our churches and bank rolling missions with billions of dollars. (What Is Absolute Poverty? - Definition, Causes & Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com)
Of course, we cannot eliminate poverty for Jesus himself said we will always have the poor among us (John 12:8, Mark 14:7, Matthew 26:11). However as the bible makes clear we can do the work of God in helping the impoverished (2 Corinthians 8:13-15 among many others). We can even do so in a way that future generations will marvel at with just 10% of our income going to missions, the poor and needy, and running our churches.
The so called "scandal" or "crisis" for evangelicals and baptists as well is that the vast majority of churchgoers don't tithe and in fact give well below the tithe. (American Donor Trends - Barna Group)
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