FAITH THAT WORKS WEEK 3:

WHEN MORE IS NEVER ENOUGH

Philanthropy is defined as the practice of voluntary, charitable giving by individuals, corporations, and foundations to benefit important social needs. The United States has the largest and most formalized philanthropic sector in the world, totaling over $600 billion annually. In just the past year, it grew to $617.2 billion dollars, marking a 5.7% nominal increase before adjusted for inflation. That sounds good when we read it, and it is…but the real question we need to ask ourselves is, what are we doing with the resources God gives us?

Throughout scripture, we read the things that God tells us we should be about (and how we can and should use the resources he provides for us). Things like: love your neighbor as you love yourself, free those who are wrongfully oppressed, share your food with those who are hungry, give clothes to those who need them, and give shelter to the homeless.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture and a society that is often driven by what we have rather than how much we give. We have been told things like, “He who has the most toys wins,” or “How much is enough? Just a little bit more.” Growing up, I remember one person who regularly said, “Get all you can and can all you get.” And so many of us spend our lives accumulating wealth, status, and stuff rather than following God’s standard for measuring worth. But James warns us against this very thing. In James 5:3-4 he writes, “Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand against you on the day of judgment.” (NLT)

So again, what are you doing with the resources God gives you? Are you following God’s plan and measuring worth by his standards? Are we using them for self-indulgence or for compassion? Are you using them for good, or are they using you? 

Let’s commit to leveraging our resources for God’s purposes. Let’s use our influence to honor people, and when we do, we will be amazed at what God will do in and through us and our church.