This week we have been focusing on giving as it relates to our prayer life. That is an important aspect of our faith development.

Paul offered the following "hope" (or prayer) on behalf of the church. (2 Corinthians 8:7),

But since you excel in everything -in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you-see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

The writer of Hebrews said that whatever our need is, we should boldly approach God and ask!

Hebrews 4:16
 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

David declared that when God is our Shepherd, we should know that "want" will be far from us!

Psalms 23:1
 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Jesus taught us that when our focus is right, and that when the main thing in our life is His Kingdom, then everything else finds it's proper place.

Luke 12:29-31
 ...Do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind...your Father knows that you need these things.  But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. 

Someone might object and say, "well now, that's all well and good-but that's just the bible. And that is not reality today; not in this economy and not in my home."

Why do I think someone might think that? Because the evidence is abundant.

George Barna, the religious pollster, has been watching what has happened in churches (and other charities) throughout this economic downturn we have all experienced (since 2008). In a recent article he made the following observations. (Get the full article HERE).

He observed the following:

• Currently (in the most recent survey, 2012), 34% of U.S. adults report they have been negatively affected in a "Major Way" by the down turn. (That is the highest percentage since he started tracking this in 2008).
• Currently (in the most recent survey, 2012), 41% of U.S. adults report that as a result of the economy they have reduced giving to non-profit organizations. (That is the highest percentage since he started tracking this in 2008).
• Currently (in the most recent survey, 2012), 34% of U.S. adults report that as a result of the economy they have reduced giving to churches. (That is the highest percentage since he started tracking this in 2008).
• Currently (in the most recent survey, 2012), 11% of U.S. adults report that as a result of the economy they have completely eliminated ALL giving to churches. (That is the highest percentage since he started tracking this in 2008).

My first reaction to that, is heartbreak: heartbreak first for families that are struggling under so much pain, stress, and difficulty. And after 30 years of ministry, I know families; and I also know that most of us are terrible at money-management. That reality is amplified in tough times.

Would you pray for those hurting families?

My next reaction to his finding is that our church is experiencing a similar reality. Giving to the budget continues to be our real challenge. The regular, faithful, and on-going week-to-week gifts are the lifeblood of New Work Fellowship.

We saw a real bump in R U Crazy? giving after the half-way celebration! And that is great! But you know, as a family you cannot long reduce your spending on food, just because you want to spend more on gasoline! It is so important to be reminded that R U Crazy? needs to be giving over and above the tithe.

At the beginning of this week, I challenged you to pray with me that God would raise up faithful, obedient, and generous givers?

Today I want to make that prayer even more specific. For this week, on this Sunday-will you pray that God would raise you up to be one of them?