Brotherly Wisdom

"Among born-again adults, there was a 44% rise in those who gave nothing last year. Compared to 1999, the mean per capita donation to churches dropped by 19 percent in 2000. One-third of born-again adults said they tithed in 2000, but a comparison of their actual giving and household incomes reveals that only one-eighth did so." -Barna Research Update 2001, cited in Randy Alcorn The Treasure Principle

Since this update things have remained a little more constant. Evangelicals lead the way in giving...a whopping 24% of evangelicals gave 10% or more in 2007. Now, these are "evangelicals"--those who by definition believe and affirm the gospel. You know, the one where God gives His Only-Begotten Son as a sacrifice for our sin, and who lavishly pours out the Holy Spirit on His Church as a down-payment. 24% of us gave that God 10% or more of our resources. Good job guys!