A friend of mine is a bishop in the Anglican Church located in Jerusalem. He recently wrote, “Please be praying for our clergy in Liberia. We have had 7 out of 50 pass away due to Ebola, and their families and many in churches are also infected”. He also asked me if we could help finance $6000 to ship a container of food and medicine to Liberia. He said, “We have the food, the mess, and the container — now looking for the shipping funds. Perhaps you can see if there is any interest. This goes directly to one of our bishops, and he supervises distribution. No waste”.
I can certainly pray, but I cannot help with the needed finances. The Jesus Alliance and other ministries in which I’ve been involved have sucked the financial life out of me; our family foundation is now down to less than $1000.
The money runs out, but one thing certain the need for more remains constant. I receive similar requests almost daily. The requests that potentially make the difference between life and death and helping children are the most troublesome.
A friend recently told me that most of the non-profits in this country maintain cash reserves sufficient for an entire year! In these perilous days this seems insane to me. When are they going to spend their money? When the ship has already sunken to the bottom of the sea? We have entered a very dark demonic period of time in which if we don’t do something now, we might not ever recover.
Some churches seem more interested in getting that new building constructed, a Starbucks franchise, and securing live camels for their Christmas play extravaganza than in preaching the Gospel to the lost and/or saving the lives of the sick, poor, and downtrodden. Just 3/10ths of 1% of the money that is given to the church is spent on missions and fulfilling the Great Commission and preaching the Gospel to those who need to hear it.
I think those priorities stink to high heaven and God is not amused.
Alas many Christians aren’t giving at all, or are giving only a tiny portion. It averages only 2.5 percent per capita. The Bible commanded that we give at least 10%.
What would happen if we obeyed?
- $25 billion could relieve global hunger, starvation and deaths from preventable diseases in five years.
- $12 billion could eliminate illiteracy in five years.
- $15 billion could solve the world’s water and sanitation issues, specifically at places in the world where 1 billion people live on less than $1 per day.
- $100 billion could fund overseas mission work
- $10 billion would still be left over for additional ministry expansion.
It is said that trillions of dollars sit waiting for that rainy day. Well let me tell you folks, that rainy day is here . . .
What is happening to God’s church? My friend is a bishop in the Anglican Church; it would seem that the Anglicans could pay for the shipping costs to save their own clergy. I suppose those grandiose sanctuaries are more important. It is frustrating to me to see it…
How sad it must make Jesus to see how we have twisted priorities set by Him with the Sermon on the Mount . . .
Matt. 5:1
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
October 9, 2014 – Click here to listen