Most of the world does not live like middle America. I can get in my car and drive anywhere I want, anytime I want, and buy pretty much anything I want. I've been reading about American wealth compared to the rest of the world and the average per capita income in America in 2000 was $34,100 while the average world CPI was $7,410. The average world CPI includes the US and other wealthy European countries so it's askew. Info from the World Bank states that 56% of the world's population lives in extreme poverty, surviving on an income of $730 per year ($2 a day).....while 28% of the world's population lives off $1 a day.
I say none of that to depress you. I say it to make you think. How much did the pair of jeans you are currently wearing cost? Where were they made? How many pair of jeans do you own? (I am speaking to myself....mine cost a lot and I have 10 pair of them. I am embarrassed).
The terrible thing is that people all over the world are forced to work in very bad working conditions just to make that $1 a day. I've read some stories of people being tricked into slavery and they have no other choice. Rich countries want their goods cheap so they can make the most profit.....and we keep buying it.
I don't know a lot about Fair Trade but I know it works with poverty stricken countries to offer a fair price for their product. It makes sure people aren't being taken advantage of and provides a healthy work environment for employees. Sweat shops are real. Slavery is still prevalent. I know it's hard to wrap your head around b/c we have it so good in America. The way you spend your money matters. I encourage you to get off your rear and do something.
I'm not saying sell all your possessions and live on the street...I am saying don't be duped by the American dream of nice house, nice new car every 3 years, nice clothes, big TV, newer house, bigger TV, stuff, stuff, stuff, stuff, stuff. I am saying be conscience of how you spend your money. Do you need surround sound, do you need 4 coffees every day, do you need 10 pair of super nice jeans? Stuff isn't bad it's the mindset it gets you in that is destructive. Buying clothes with a credit card is dumb. Having 14 coats in your closet is dumb.
This is all opinion but I say this: buy nice things with a clear conscience. Maybe buy a nice pair of jeans once a year.....or something like that. Save for a while (while giving money to church, orphans, widows, and people in need) then buy a TV. Think before you spend. Make sure you aren't supporting harsh living conditions in third world countries with your purchases.
I dont think I will single handedly save the world. The movie No Country For Old Men depressed me deeply b/c, seemingly, evil triumphed. But the theme of the movie was about fighting....no matter how dark things look around you, no matter how evil things are.....be a light. Even a small light in a lot of darkness is bright. You are going to be held responsible for the choices you make. You can make a difference. It sure is better than sitting around, surrounded with stuff, eating cheeseburgers, encapsulated in your American bubble doing nothing. We Americans simply live a lifestyle that is beyond imagination for most of the poor in the world. You are rich. Thank God and do something!
Here are some ideas:
Don't give tons of worthless gifts this Christmas. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or buy necessities for families who are broke. Check out this video.
Sponsor a child through Compassion International.
Give at least 10% of your money to your church. Don't make excuses for not tithing. Giving time is not tithing. Giving 10% of your money is tithing. This one is pretty self explanatory. If you don't tithe because your church "doesn't use the money well" then find a new church. It is a big deal to not give God 10% of what is already His.
Think everytime you swipe your credit card. Think about how that money is being used. Think about someone other than yourself for a change.
If you are like me and have tons of stuff stop buying and start giving stuff away. Do I need 5 TVs, 2 microwaves, 4 guitars, 12 pair of shoes, 2 computers?? I bet it would make some one's year to receives something like that.
The bottom line is we need to do something. We are the richest country to ever walk the earth and with that privilege comes a responsibility. There are people that need our help. Free up some money so you can give more away. Don't go into HUGE debt that will prohibit you from being financially free. Take small, baby steps now. If we don't help people in need who will?
4 comments:
Wow, Josh... That was really powerful... I was convicted like whoa. Thanks for reminding me about that.
1. Post-Calvary Christian giving principles in Second Corinthians are superior to tithing. (1) Giving is a "grace.” (2) Give yourself to God first. (3) Give yourself to knowing God’s will. (4) Give in response to Christ’s gift. (5) Give out of a sincere desire. (6) Do not give because of any commandment (8:8, 10; 9:7). (7) Give beyond your ability. (8) Give to produce equality. (9) Give joyfully (8:2). (10) Give because you are growing spiritually. (11) Give to continue growing spiritually. (12) Give because you are hearing the gospel preached.
2. Abraham's tithed in Genesis 14 in obedience to pagan tradition. (1) He did not "freely" give. (2) His was NOT a holy tithe from God’s holy land by God’s holy people under God’s holy Covenant. (3) His was only from pagan spoils of war required in many nations. (4) In Num. 31, God required 1% of spoils. (5) His tithe to his priest-king was a one-time event. (6) Not from his personal property. (7) Kept nothing for himself. (8) Is not quoted to endorse tithing. (9) Most commentaries explain 14:21 as pagan Arab tradition, it is contradictory to explain the 90% of 14:21 as pagan, while insisting the 10% of 14:20 was obedience to God’s will. (10) If Abraham were an example for Christians to give 10%, he should also be an example for Christians to give the other 90% to Satan, or to the king of Sodom! (11) As priests, neither Abraham nor Jacob had a Levitical priesthood to support; they probably left food for the poor at their altars.
3. Although money was common and essential for worship for over 1500 years, biblical tithes were always only food increased by God from inside Israel (Lev. 27:30, 32; see site for all 16 texts).
4. Since only farmers and herdsmen tithed, there was no minimum standard requirement for most. Tradesmen such as carpenters (Jesus), Peter (fishermen) and Paul (tentmakers) did not qualify as tithe-payers. The poor and Gentiles did not tithe.
5. Tithing was only commanded to national Israel under the terms of the Old Covenant. Tithing was never commanded to the Church after Calvary (Ex 19:5-6; Lev 27:34; Mal 4:4; Mt 23:23 matters of the law).
6. Those who received the first whole tithe did not minister atonement (Num. 18:21-24; Neh10:37b). Priests only received 1% (a tenth of the tithe) (Num 18:25-28; Neh 10:38).
7. In exchange for receiving tithes, both Levites and priests forfeited all rights to permanent land inheritance inside Israel (Num. 18:20-26).
8. Firstfruits are not the same as tithes. Firstfruits were a very small token offering (Deu 26:1-4; Neh 10:35-37; Num 18:13-17). Tithes were the tenth and not the best; only 1% of the tithes included the best (Lev. 27:32, 33).
9. There were 4 O.T. tithes: (1) Government taxes (1 Sam 8:14-17). (2) Levitical (Num. 18:21-28; Neh. 10:37-39). (3) Festival (Deu 12:1-19; 14:22-26). (3) Poor tithe every 3rd year (Deu 14:28-29; 26:12-13).
10. Tithes were often taxes used to support Levite [politicians (1 Chron, chap 23 to 26; esp 23:2-5; 26:29-32; 27:5). Tithes never supported mission work (Ex 23:32; Heb 7:12-18).
11. OT Levitical tithes were brought first to the Levitical cities and not to the Temple (Num 18; Neh 10:37-39; 2 Chron 31:15-19). Most Levites required tithes in their Levitical cities where 98% stayed (Num 35, Josh 20, 21).
12. Malachi 3 is the most abused tithing text in the Bible. (1) Malachi is OT and is never quoted in the New Covenant to validate tithing. (2) Tithes are still only food. (3) His audience reaffirmed the OT curses (Neh.10:28-29). (4) The blessings and curses of tithing are identical to and inseparable from those of the entire Mosaic Law (Deu 28:12, 23-24; Gal 3:10/Deu 27:26). (5) “You” in Malachi refers to the dishonest priests and not the people (1:6-14; 2:1-10; 2:13 to 3:1-5). (6) The “whole” tithe never went to the Temple! (Neh 10:37b). (7) The Levitical cities must be included in a correct interpretation. (8) The 24 courses of Levites and priests must be included. (9) The “storehouse” in the Temple was only several rooms (Neh 13:5, 9). (9) “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse” only makes contextual sense if it is only commanding dishonest priests to replace the tithes they had removed from it or had failed to bring to it.
13. The OT Temple and priesthood have been replaced by the priesthood of every believer. NT elders and pastors more closely resemble OT prophets who were not supported by tithes.
14. Tithing was not legalized as a church law until AD 777. If was not introduced as a local regional law until the 6th century. See any reputable encyclopedia.
15. NT giving principles are: freewill, sacrificial, generous, joyful, not by commandment or percentage and motivated by love for God and lost souls.
From the book, Should the Church Teach Tithing?
www.tithing-russkelly.com russell-kelly@att.net
I agree with the long-winded dude.
wow, what just happened?
Post a Comment