As we head into missions month, let’s broach a topic that I am sure will be uncomfortable at first — the money talk. It’s a conversation that needs to happen within churches, but often gets a negative sentiment attached to it. Sadly, I think the negative sentiment is often attached to our own selfishness and consumerism here in the US. American Christians, while being the most affluent, sadly give at very underwhelming amounts.
Here are some stats to give some perspective. Based on a recent study in 2021, it was found that the average American Christian gives roughly 2.58% of their income to gospel endeavors through their church. Beyond that, the same study found that roughly 25% of American Christians surveyed gave nothing that year. Let that sink in for a minute. We live in the most affluent country in one of the most affluent times with the ability to make the most impact globally, and 25% are giving nothing to gospel endeavors.
Based on their recent stats, the SBC, which is the largest US evangelical denomination, gave $200,000,000 to domestic and foreign missions. We would all look at that figure and go, “wow, that’s a ton of money!” I would agree it is a large figure, but let me give you some perspective. The SBC has roughly 13,000,000 members, which would mean that the average amount given to missions per member is 15 dollars…for the entire year. In our affluence, 15 dollars in a year for gospel efforts is an embarrassing lack of grace in our lives, and the evidence of a temporal worldview.
Why do I mention this? The heart behind this article is not to guilt trip you into giving to missions. However, it should bring thought and consideration about what we are doing in our lives financially for the gospel. Through the early church, you see a pattern of churches giving so that the gospel efforts can continue through church planting and evangelism. You see proactivity within the church leadership of calling the brothers and sisters to grace-fueled sacrificial giving. Giving is not something that a believer must be forced into…giving should be a natural byproduct of the spirits working in our lives.
Last week, we shared the revamp of our missions giving here at Faith. The goal is to increase our personal investment in ministering to our missions partnerships, and to deepen our heart for being used by God to further the Gospel. How are you stewarding God’s funds for eternal purposes? In what ways are you growing in grace to give sacrificially towards missions efforts?
Are you in the 25% percent of American Christians who give nothing to the gospel mission? Christ has freed you to more, and provided the finances in your life to steward for Him. If you are giving, how can you take a step forward to continue to grow in grace about Gospel efforts?
Begin praying now, as we prepare for Missions Month about how God might use you to make an impact in gospel endeavors around the world. Visit includefaith.org/missions and take the step of committing to financial partnership with our missionaries and church planters globally. It is easy in our culture to find reasons we can’t give. Maybe this is an opportunity to ask, what is the focus of my life financially? Am I living temporally, or am I seeking to make the most eternal impact I can with what I have been blessed to steward?
Serving Together,
Pastor Derek