Scrooge

I'm intrigued by how our Great God can take difficulties in our lives and use them for our good. I'm not talking about just individuals in this regard, but the Christian Community as well.

I just read that 1 in 4 Americans who call themselves a Christian give NO money away. Zip. Zilch. 1 in 10 who call themselves "evangelical" and say that their faith is important to them give nothing. Even among us "bible believing evangelicals" only 27% of us tithe (give 10%). And this... in the wealthiest country in the world, during the wealthiest period in history. Ouch. Are we really people who understand that everything is given to us by God, and that a tithe is simply a way of thanking Him and acknowledging that fact?

I wonder... as the economy worsens, and we tighten our belts, and we recognize that "stuff" is not what's important... might this statistic change for the better? Might God use this time to actually make us more generous, with more of His heart? Lord, may it be...