October 17 2018 – Click here to listen
I noticed where the world bank has reported that nearly half of the world’s population lives on less than $5.50 per day. I thank God I’m not one of them. I also thank Him for blessing me with the opportunity to live in this country. Most people don’t understand how it feels to be hungry, lack safe shelter, wear tattered clothing, be devoid of clean drinking water, indoor plumbing or electricity. I was homeless for a while and have traveled to several countries including India and have seen abject poverty and perhaps understand it more than most, and it is difficult to see, much less experience, the living conditions endured by so many. The dividing line for extreme poverty amounts to living on less than $1.90 per DAY. 12% of the world’s population is ensnared in it.
I noticed where the Mega Millions lottery jackpot now stands at $868 million dollars. It costs $2 to play the game and the odds of winning aren’t in your favor. The chance of matching all six numbers and taking home the grand prize is one in 302.5 million, but what would you do with it if you won it? That’s pretty close to a billion dollars. Would you take care of your family’s needs and use the rest to help others? That is the $868 million dollar question.
Isn’t it ironic that so many superstar athletes, mega rich celebrities, hedge fund managers, and others despise this country and summarily reject God? Most would think that they would arise each morning and immediately get on their knees and pray to God in thankfulness instead of taking to Twitter to spew their venom. Jeff Bezos’ company Amazon recently hit the trillion dollar market cap mark. Billionaires are becoming more and more common, millionaires are a dime a dozen and yet half the world lives in poverty that we cannot imagine.
For all the ranting against and persecution of Christians, a recent Washington Times article said: Studies, indicate that faith motivates as much as 75 percent of all charity in the United States. Another philanthropy association study states that on average, religiously affiliated households donate $1,590 to charity annually, while households with no religious affiliation contribute $695.
Jesus gave His most famous Sermon on the Mount which is a beautiful sermon recorded in Matthew chapters five through seven about how we should live our lives according to a higher moral code and how we should view possessions and money. Even atheists have highly acclaimed this powerful message. I highly recommend that you read it today. The cynics will say that it is unrealistic, and unachievable, but they are wrong. This utopian society He advocates is a picture of heaven, God’s kingdom. It is His desire that we both experience it on earth as it is in heaven. Though utopia seems impossible to mere humans, God declares it can and will happen. Do your part today. Are you aware of anyone who needs help today? Then help them. If you don’t know anyone, help someone you don’t know through one of the countless ministries on this planet. Keep the faith in Jesus that He can and will deliver those who love Him.
Jer. 32:27
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”