A Giving Revival

"Justice will not be served until those that are unaffected are as outraged as those who are." - Benjamin Franklin




The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Japan have reminded me of just how powerful of a force human compassion can be. After Hurricane Katrina, Billions of dollars were sent in for the care and reconstruction of those that were affected. Every month pledges are fulfilled from around the world to help provide food, education and medical supplies to starving children and families in Africa. And yet, there is such a disparity between the American church and the American family, that each and every day there is a far greater need that remains under-served and unrecognized. I am thinking about the spiritual devastation that has wreaked havoc upon our society. 


Telethons are held to entice the viewing public to give for physical needs that are evident. But the church sits idly by and watches the very neighbors and community they live in get destroyed by sin and darkness. All the while I hear statements like, "All that preacher wants is my money" and "I wish that they wouldn't talk about giving so much". I have even heard people tell me they can't afford to tithe because they have to take care of themselves first. Apparently, their cable television, internet games and two car payments are much more important than supporting the work that not only cares for their family but also is reaching for their drug-addicted next-door-neighbors. There's nothing wrong with having nice things, but at what cost do we acquire them?


The love of money is truly the root of all evil. Until the church sees money as a tool for revival and not a blessing for consumption by our flesh, there will be starving souls that die of malnutrition. We, as people of God's Purpose, ought to be as outraged by the death of one sinner who has not heard the gospel of Grace and repentance through Jesus Name as we are when we see pictures of children with bloated stomaches. Every soul who enters eternity without the opportunity to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and be baptized in Jesus Name should send us weeping to our knees asking God for more time to reach the lost. Every spending decision we make must be seasoned with the question "Does this money have a higher purpose?"


Revival is a function of giving. "Some give by going, others go by giving" is the old mantra. But the American church is so spoiled by our decadence that we hardly know what sacrificial giving is. Lord, give us a heart for revival! Give us an outrage for the dying lost sinner. Instead of being outraged by his sin, let us be outraged by our own complacency. Instead of spending money on bigger conferences to benefit the church, let us put those resources into bigger social programs that give us an opportunity to share God's message with unredeemed. Sin abounds, but let our Grace much more abound!


2 Corinthians 9:15 calls it an unspeakable gift. The context of that chapter shows us that the gift is a result of giving. The gift is God's glory through the work supported by giving saints. That work produces thanks and longing by the people for the ministry of the Gospel. Tell me giving is overrated and I'll show you where in Scripture there is a direct link between the church's liberal giving and revival in their community.


MAY GOD GRANT US THE HEART FOR REVIVAL TO THE POINT THAT WE GIVE LIBERALLY


Amen.