Sadly, I believe that too many of us, are desperately hoarding the resources that come to us every other week just so we can pay for the operating expenses and building costs of our lives and churches. Tragically, as necessary as that may seem to be, it's too bad that we, as individuals and the church, have gotten to that point in our existence!
I believe that most of us would make the choice not to do that if we fully understood that God's abundance is released into our personal lives and into our ministries, when we take what He says about the care of orphans and widows...believe it and obey it!
In fact, I've come to the conclusion, based on Scripture, that it's vitally important to both our personal and corporate financial lives! Why? Well, because, if you think about it, God is our provider, and it's His command to care for those who can't take care of themselves, for whatever reasons! So, when we obey Him by releasing our resources and possessions to His commands (to the things that break His heart) our ultimate Provider takes care of us!
This is what breaks the heart of God. I don't know how it couldn't break yours:
According to international agencies that track the orphan situation in the world...
- There are somewhere between 143 and 210 million abandoned, neglected and/or orphaned children in the world today.
- A child under the age of 5 dies in the world every 3 seconds from some kind of neglect, starvation or exposure. That's 11 million precious children of God every year!
- Every 12-15 seconds another child in Africa becomes an AIDS orphan (how long have you taken to read this blog so far? Think about it!)
- There are an estimated 18 million AIDS orphans in Sub-Sahara Africa (that's 8 out every 10 children!)!
- Approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually! Good, right?
- BUT, 14, 505,000 grow up as orphans, and at 16 years of age are out of the system...38,5000 children a day!
- In Russia and Ukraine, 10-15% of those who "age out" commit suicide before they are 18!
- About 60% of the girls become prostitutes and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals.
- And the U.S. statistics are too much different when you look at them.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, this is a travesty to our FATHER! A travesty that he expects us to take care of...at whatever cost or sacrifice! What are you going to do to be part of God's answer? GET INVOLVED! Be proactive - Do Something, PLEASE! You won't regret it!
If you're in the area, we invite you to join us at Central Christian Church in Snohomish, WA for Orphan Sunday. Services are at 9 & 11 (don't forget to set your clocks back, U.S.) and then the International Worship & Prayer at 4pm with The Orphan's Table and Orphan/Adoption/Foster Care Testimonies at 5pm. Go to www.centralfaith.org or www.orphansunday.org for more information.
A Humble Servant,
Greg
