America and its church…
I have written in the past concerning the wealth of Americans. Despite the past few years Americans are among the wealthiest in the world. I know yall have seen this before but review it again.
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The median household income in America is $50,233. If your household makes $50k/yr your are around the top 10% percentile of the world’s income. If your household makes $100,000/yr you are in the top 1% of the worlds income! (This is a assuming dual incomes…if single incomes the % is higher)
Did you know that 25% of the worlds population receives 75% of the world’s income. Which means the poorest in the world share the remaining 25%! The average world income per person is $5000/yr…which is highly inflated because of the 25% living on 75% of the world wealth.
% of the world population % of world income yrly indiv inc daily income
Bottom 10% 0.8 $400 $1.10
Bottom 20% 2.0 $500 $1.37
Bottom 50% 8.5 $850 $2.33
Bottom 75% 22.3 $1,487 $4.07
Bottom 85% 37.1 $2,182 $5.98
Top 10% 50.8 $25,400 $69.59
Top 5% 33.7 $33,700 $92.33
Top 1% 9.5 $47,500 $130.14
The poverty-line in America ranges between $10,400 (single household) to $35,600 (8 person household). For a household of 2 it is $14,000. Out of the 303 million people in America, approx 26 million live in poverty. Which even the lowest income in America is richer than average world income…not including the addition of welfare, government housing, wic, etc. Also, for children of the families in poverty get government assistance on college tuition and most likely more school funding for their local public schools.
If 100 people equals the worlds population, 53 of those would live on less than $2.00/day. So if you purchase a $10 book, you spent someones week income.
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You might say but things are cheaper in poverty stricken countries. While that might be true, food is a international commodity now since we move to a global market. The cultivation of third world food is usually much more labor intensive and is often more expensive than food grown on America’s mechanized farms. Yet, American’s spend and average of $3,400 per year per person on food and beverages. That is 365 percent more than the total average income of over half the people in the world. Americans simply live a lifestyle that is beyond imagination for most people in the world.
I was talking to a lady who was in the mission fields in Mexico for years and she was telling me that in Mexico they believe all Americans are rich. However, if you ask most Americans if they are rich and they would say NO…I wish, not even close.
Its our perception of wealth that is skewed. I think it is a combination of how we were raised, part of our culture, what we have seen on television or the big screen, and what we were taught in school.
I know Americans were not always so self adsorbed and vain. So I looked up the original meanings of “The American Dream”: James Truslow coined the phrase “American Dream” in his 1931 book Epic of America.
In the 30’s this is what the “American Dream” was…
“The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”
“The American Dream, that has lured tens of millions of all nations to our shores in the past century has not been a dream of material plenty, though that has doubtlessly counted heavily. It has been a dream of being able to grow to fullest development as a man and woman, unhampered by the barriers which had slowly been erected in the older civilizations, unrepressed by social orders which had developed for the benefit of classes rather than for the simple human being of any and every class.”
Today this is what the “American Dream” is…
The meaning of the “American Dream” has changed over the course of history. Today it indicates the ability, through participation in the resonant society and culture of the United States, to bring prosperity to oneself. According to the dream, this includes the opportunity for one’s children to grow up and receive an American education and its consequent career opportunities. It is the opportunity to make individual choices without the restrictions of class, caste, religion, race, or ethnic group.
I read this and I see the opportunities that are available for all classes, race, religion. In America a man or woman who is born in impoverish homes and neighborhoods can and has the power to change his or her own circumstances. Simply taking advantage of the “Free” American Education and become a doctor, lawyer, or anything they want to be. It is opportunities that early Americans dreamed of and died for and something we take for granted today and fail to take advantage of. The meaning of the original “American Dream” is available for all to take advantage of and extra help is provided/available for those who are in poverty in America. Though today’s view of the “American Dream” is seen as just bringing prosperity to oneself and their family…we forget about those around us.
What is funny/sad is the majority of the world see Americans among the wealthiest in the world and have more equality and freedoms than any other country! 80% of humanity lives on less than $10/day! We are so wealthy and we do not even realize it. We let life pass us by working trying to provide a life that is flawed that you do not even realize it until it is to late…we missed the quality time with our families! Even though every country suffers from poverty, the “poverty line” differs from country to country and the poorer the country the more extreme the poverty seems to be.
I posted early this morning an article which showed Americans to be very generous in giving and volunteerism but I was wanting to see more numbers so I did a little digging and this is what I found using the best resources I had at my disposal at 12am in the morning.
**I am not sayings these figures are 100% correct but I feel they give a good idea of where we stand.**
According to the CIA World Factbook and Wikipedia America GDP is ranked number 1 in the world with and estimated GDP of 14.26 Trillion dollars (That is approx 4.26 trillion more than the 2nd and 3rd largest GDPs’ combined…China and Japan.)! Only an estimate of 12% of Americans live below the poverty line (probably a little higher in our current economy, this was in 2004). According to, parade.com who I have never heard of before used U.S. Department of State 2009 International Affairs Budget Justification report to determine that America gave out $26 Billion in foreign aid in 2008. If parade.com’s figures are correct that means the American Government gave .18% of our GDP towards Foreign Aid in 2008. Now add private sector of donations and American charity donations given by the government we give approx 3.62% of our GDP a year. That equals out to be approx $516 billion a year going towards domestic charities and international foreign aid. I used Charity Navigator and a study to get the totals.
I personally do not feel that 3.62% is a number worth bragging about. In a nation where its citizens are more wealthy than the majority of the world who has opportunities at their fingertips and freedoms that people dream of having. In my opinion this is not charitable but giving enough to make ourselves feel and look good. This means the average American family that makes $50k a year gives $1,810 a year towards charitable contributions…which is actually less than that if you subtract the % government gives and % given for tax incentives from businesses. It sounds great when you say $516 billion went towards charities and foreign aid but they leave out the 14.26 trillion/year GDP or only 3.62% of our nations wealth.
Which is more meaningful? 1) A person who is well off gives a homeless man $20 and goes about his way or 2) A person who struggling financially and cooks the man a homemade meal? Which has a deeper impact on the homeless man (assuming he knows the circumstance of each giver)? Which of the two was the most charitable? Of course the one that was the greater sacrifice. I believe I am starting to understand why other countries see us as they do…we puff ourselves up and pat ourselves on the back for our givings as if it was actually a sacrifice. When America give to another country to help with a natural disaster it is announced on every news station for like a week…but we rarely hear anything about what any other country gave. We may throw the biggest numbers but if this % is remotely accurate there is no sacrifice.
My point was not to actually to calculate totals to see much we give or to say no body in America is charitable but to get an idea or a perspective of how charitable we actually are as a whole. Realize as a nation we are not doing anything that special but just giving enough to make ourselves feel better about ourselves…and I would bet these figures have dropped in the past couple years.
For those who are not followers of Jesus Christ I pray this just opens your eyes but I am really wanting to address the American church…those who claim to be Christians but do not give, volunteer, etc. If this is you are not being a good disciple of Christ and I ask you what sets you apart for the world to see you are servant of Jesus Christ? I encourage you to read Mark 10:17-31 and honestly judge your heart! If you cannot honestly give up everything for Jesus its time for you really start seeking after Him. Be honest with Him and tell Him you still love the world more than you love Him and ask for Him to take it away. Begin seeking a relationship with our Creator regularly and consistently praying, listening, studying His word, and fasting.
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Matthew 22:36-39,
“”Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…”
Matthew 28:19-20,
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”“
Matthew 25:31-40
“”When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
”Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
”Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
”The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
John 14:15,21,
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
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Lets open our eyes to our wealth no matter what American social class we fall into and take a global perspective. Lets find contentment in where we are and enjoy life. It’s not about keeping up with the Jone’s, the cars we drive, or how big our house is…its how blessed we are to have a Savior who died so that we might have life eternally with Him and to privilege to spend time with Him, its spending time with our families, and reaching the lost and/by helping/serving those less fortunate for Jesus Christ!
Please do not think I am saying or believe that since America is so rich we do not have any needs in our country or communities! There are Americans in every town that are in need of shelter, food, clothes, basic essentials, neighborhoods picked up, yards mowed, mentors, etc…I am just encouraging everyone to seek after Jesus with all their hearts and develop a relationship with Him and find the positives in our lives and be content. Look at the blessings before us and have joy! If you have not read Crazy Love by Francis Chan, I highly recommend you do!
Hebrews 13:5&6
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence,”The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.What can man do to me?”
If you want to do something but you do not know how or where to do it. Maybe it is because your local congregation doesn’t have a ministry that fits your God given passion or leading…then look outside your congregation to help and support other ministries that are already established in your community that have the same passions as you…doesn’t mean to change churches but to work in unity with one another.
For those with an evangelistic heart: there are all kinds of needs, growing up in a middle class home I always felt that those who were poorer and from the projects have the same opportunities as I did and if they wanted out they just had to work for it…which is true and false. What I failed to see was how many single parent homes, no parental guidance, the peer pressures from the neighborhood and the temptation of going after the “easy” money, joining gangs for many reasons: protection, search for love or structure or discipline, need for recognition, family traditions, etc. A lot of times we might see these adolescents when they were kids and came to church apart of a bus ministry or something. They feel loved/safe and get excited for God for a couple hours 1 or 2 times a week…their heart really wants change but they stay hard or distant…why? Well outside of 2 to 4 hrs a week they have to go back in their neighborhoods with no direction, protection, and we hope and somewhat expect them to be disciplined and study, make good grades, grow in their relationship with Christ, and teach themselves morals, ethics, common curtsies! Expect their eyes to be open so they can have more out of life than welfare, drugs, violence and believe that they can make it out because even when no one else around them is. While we go back to our homes and enjoy the comforts of our lives and blessings! Somehow we assume their parents were like ours, neighborhoods are like ours, etc…Let me ask who fault is it? Theirs or the us the Christians who feel lead of the spirit to mentor, tutor, work and serve these neighborhoods but instead we ignore our calling to stay in our box/comfort zones? There are faults on both parts but only 1 of has a choice. This is the culture and lifestyle they were born into…we are the ones tell God no I don’t want to go. We make excuses because we are to busy but we still make time for what we want to do. We might even be busy and active members within our local congregation and serving the Lord there…but that is not where God is calling us…John 14:15, lets show Christ we love Him by obeying Him and His love that is in us can spill out into the lives in those communities. Pray and seek God! Research outreaches already established and see about working with them or get guidance/advice on a ministry God is leading you start up.
Lets not pretend that the American Church is operating in the will of God and America is still pleasing to our God. Our nation is becoming morally corrupted and immune to sin! I honestly see no difference between us and Sodom and Gomorrah, except for we kill 1.3 million babies a year and call it abortion. I know the arguments but it is still a life created in the image of God. One living cell is still life and the beginning forms of a baby. I believe our lifeline right now is we are still supporting Israel God’s chosen! Even with the signs going on around us and the moral decay of our country the average Christian still prays only 2-3 minutes a day and Pastors pray 5-30 minutes(seen and read different statistics). I am not speaking to individuals who are being obedient to the spirit but to those 90% that do nothing for the Kingdom of God call themselves Christians has a love for God but still will not let go of the things of this world. (The 90% comes from a general rule in a church that 10% does 90% of the work in church).
I pray that Christians across America will begin to see their blessings, to begin to have a wonderful relationship with Jesus! That they will grow in Christ and become active members in the body of Christ. I understand that everyone is not called to “evangelism” but we are all called to the great commission, we all have God given gifts, passions, God has a will and purpose for your life and He will direct all who seek Him in the direction of His will! Lets get serious with God, take our minds off wealth, Hollywood, politics, health care bills, work, and seek Jesus and spend time with Him and our families while we can…we are not promised tomorrow!
If you feel like giving monetarily but do not know a ministry you can give to there are many organizations that are domestic and internationally you can give to.
Inn Ministries in Guatemala, committed to educating children where 60% of the population lives in poverty and are illiterate.
Compassion Ministries or World Vision…there are many more in your local communities that are committed and established. They are trusting Christ to supply all their needs.
Here is a site that lists recommended charities and bases their ratings on the % of the dollar donated goes towards the need/cause. They will only be rating the large charity organizations.
http://www.charitywatch.org
