Why I Am Starting This Blog

The title of this blog comes from Randy Alcorn's book, Money, Possessions, and Eternity, one of the two dozen books I read last year on poverty and philanthropy.  It is one of the two major Christian books which drastically changed my theology, my worldview, my sense of purpose in life. (The other book is Desiring God by John Piper.)  I became convicted that aiding and empowering the poor was part of the good works that God prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians 2:8).  So I began to give to humanitarian organizations (beyond the tithe I give to my local church).

I am starting this blog as a way to keep track of my giving, to keep track of resources, and to stay motivated. It is also my hope that this blog could bring greater awareness about charitable giving.  Charity has largely fallen out of the consciousness of the modern western church.  There is a dearth of conversation about giving.  This is my way of starting that conversation.

From Randy Alcorn--

When it comes to giving, churches operate under a 'don't ask, don't tell'  policy.  We lack communication, accountability, and modelling.  It's as if we have an unspoken agreement--"I won't talk about it if you won't"-- so we can go right on living as we are.  Ask the young people at church if they can point out examples of prayer warriors in the congregation, people who have a lot to teach about prayer.  Most can come up with names.  Now ask them to point out the giving warriors, people who have a lot to teach about giving.  The fact that the term giving warrior sounds so foreign says it all, doesn't it? 

Think about it--how do young Christians in our churches learn how to give?  Where can they go to see what giving looks like in the life of a believer captivated by Christ?  Why are we surprised when seeing no other example, they take their cues from a materialistic society?  Statistics clearly indicate that young adults in the church give a much lower percentage of their income.  Part of the reason is that older Christians have failed to pass on a vision for giving. (Money, Possessions, and Eternity, p. 204)

I aspire to be a giving warrior.  I have no intention of forfeiting my reward in Heaven by bragging about what I'm doing while here on Earth.  So I've decided to keep this blog anonymous.  Besides, this blog may not even amount to a blip in the blogosphere.  For now, it's for me and I already know who I am.  =)