2.6 trillion dollars!!!

[Dave McClung]

2.6 trillion dollars is the income of American Evangelicals according to this site: http://www.generousgiving.org/page.asp?sec=4&page=311

I don't know how they came up with that amount, but it is sobering.

[Kevin Bowser]

There must be more doctors and lawyers out there who are evangelicals that I thought! :basic03

[Scott Hilton]

does that include the money Benny Hinn is looking for to get his personal Jet?

https://www.bennyhinn.org/donate/donatenow.cfm?referrer=na_dove1&CFID=6810870&CFTOKEN=87403691

[Paul Whitaker]

2.6 trillion dollars is the income of American Evangelicals according to this site: http://www.generousgiving.org/page.asp?sec=4&page=311

I don't know how they came up with that amount, but it is sobering.

I first thought this amount might be what CofN has in investments. <g>

[Cindi Hammons]

Is he serious?

He says, "...so I can present the Gospel in person..."

First of all, why not fly like everyone else does? Secondly, just think how many missionaries he could support to be in other places year round for the amount of money he is spending on a corporate jet!

I didn't trust him before...now I really don't trust him.:cool:

Hmmm....I'm thinking our church could use a corporate jet. How about yours?:rolleyes:

[Dennis M. Scott]

Hmmm....I'm thinking our church could use a corporate jet. How about yours?:rolleyes:

Yes, we could sell it to Benny Hinn. :fav18

[BobHunt]

we could use that jet to fly to General Assembly, esp if they hold it in Florida!

[Mark Bolerjack]

I am not greedy. I am only looking for 85 people to give me $1000 each so I can afford two reliable cars for Betty and I to drive. The Lord will give you a blessing if you can contribute to our car fund within the next 45 days. I accept paypal, cash or money orders. Do it now, before you have time to pause and go, "huh?"

[David Cash]

Actually, Benny Hinn isn't the only one. I think Jerry Falwell either flies or flew around in a business jet and wouldn't be at all surprised if some of the other televangelists did too.

Evangelical, mainline, or atheist, it seems like a lot of people out there make a lot more money than I can easily conceive of. It just kind of boggles the mind what "ordinary" people can afford to drive and where they can afford to live. Oh well. The Bible says to be content with what you have.

David Cash

[Barb Bouldrey]

This thread really made me chuckle tonight. Thanks, all you silly people.

Barb

[Barb Bouldrey]

I read this link all the way down. This is the area that spoke the most to my heart:

"In 2000, nearly 97 percent of the entire income of all Christian organizations was spent on, and primarily benefited, other Christians at home or abroad: $261 billion spent on ministering to Christians, $7.8 billion on already-evangelized non-Christians, and $0.81 billion on unevangelized non-Christians.

The average donation by adults who attend U.S. Protestant churches is about $17 a week.

Among church members of 11 primary Protestant denominations (or their historical antecedents) in the United States and Canada, per-member giving as a percentage of income was lower in 2000 than in either 1921 or 1933. In 1921, per-member giving as a percentage of income was 2.9 percent. In 1933, at the depth of the Great Depression, per-member giving grew to 3.3 percent. By 2000, after a half-century of unprecedented prosperity, giving had fallen to 2.6 percent.

Overall, only 3 to 5 percent of Americans who donate money to a church tithe."

As Dave said in another thread....churches do not have financial problems, they have spiritual problems.

These statistics prove why churches struggle financially.

I do have to say about the first paragraph...when it speaks of how much is spent on ourselves and other Christians, I wonder if they take into account the salaries of missionaries in that amount or if missionary salaries are considered in the amount given to reach the lost.

Average giving is $17? Wow. That figure really shakes me.

Barb

[Dave McClung]

I read this link all the way down. This is the area that spoke the most to my heart:

"In 2000, nearly 97 percent of the entire income of all Christian organizations was spent on, and primarily benefited, other Christians at home or abroad: $261 billion spent on ministering to Christians, $7.8 billion on already-evangelized non-Christians, and $0.81 billion on unevangelized non-Christians.



While I agree that we should spend more than 3% on evangelization of non-Christians, I don't think that the money we spend on discipling Christians is wasted. After all, the great commission speaks of "making disciples" not "making converts."

[Barb Bouldrey]

Yes, Dave,
I agree. Those figures do not give the entire picture of how this money is spent.

Barb

[Gina Stevenson]

'Just think ... the tithe of 2.6 trillion = $260,000,000. Was there really that much tithed last year {TIC}?

[Cindi Hammons]

I'm sure you are 100% correct.

[Joyce Miller]

Since this is a Nazarene associated discussion board, I thought I'd add some info about Nazarene giving according to the General Church's stats posted on

http://www.nazarene.org/ministries/administration/statistics/display.aspx

"The per capita paid by the International Church was $542.30, an increase of -$4.28. Distribution: $444.90 to Local Interests, $26.45 to District Interests, $13.22 to Educational Interests, and $57.73 to General Interests. The per capita by region is: Africa - $12.28; Asia-Pacific - $243.81; Canada - $1,036.26; Caribbean - $44.20; Eurasia - $120.24; Mexico, Central America - $81.15; South America - $67.08; United States - $1,202.95." (accessed 12/2/06, last paragraph on page)

So for us in the US, that would be about $23/week.


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[Dave McClung]

Since this is a Nazarene associated discussion board, I thought I'd add some info about Nazarene giving according to the General Church's stats posted on

http://www.nazarene.org/ministries/administration/statistics/display.aspx

"The per capita paid by the International Church was $542.30, an increase of -$4.28. Distribution: $444.90 to Local Interests, $26.45 to District Interests, $13.22 to Educational Interests, and $57.73 to General Interests. The per capita by region is: Africa - $12.28; Asia-Pacific - $243.81; Canada - $1,036.26; Caribbean - $44.20; Eurasia - $120.24; Mexico, Central America - $81.15; South America - $67.08; United States - $1,202.95." (accessed 12/2/06, last paragraph on page)

So for us in the US, that would be about $23/week.


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Welcome, Joyce. It is good to see that you are posting here. There is nothing like the facts to shed light on a subject.

[Steve Reece]

I will never again complain about our church fundraising for a new van.
:basic05

[Brendan Osweiler]

Hey Mark-

Sure I'll go ahead and wire you the money, just tell me where I can send it. LOL So when I write the check do I put it towards the "Jesus Cadillac Fund"? It seems like many of the people on this post want to bash people with alot of money. Ok so I don't agree with everything Benny Hinn is doing but I do know some charasmatic preachers like Billy Joe Daughterty who is right on, and flies his own jet. Just think what the Nazarene chuch could do with all that money their spending for the new HQ in Lenexa that they don't need.

[Marsha Lynn]

Actually, Benny Hinn isn't the only one. I think Jerry Falwell either flies or flew around in a business jet and wouldn't be at all surprised if some of the other televangelists did too.

Evangelical, mainline, or atheist, it seems like a lot of people out there make a lot more money than I can easily conceive of. It just kind of boggles the mind what "ordinary" people can afford to drive and where they can afford to live. Oh well. The Bible says to be content with what you have.

David Cash

Which reminds me of this great old gospel song - lyrics provided by www.lyricsbox.com:



Would Jesus Wear A Rolex
by Ray Stevens
album: Collection (1993)

Woke up this mornin', turned on the t.v. set.
there in livin' color, was somethin' I can't forget.
This man was preachin' at me, yeah, layin' on the charm
askin' me for twenty, with ten-thousand on his arm.
He wore designer clothes, and a big smile on his face
sellin' me salvation while they sang Amazin' Grace.
Askin' me for money, when he had all the signs of wealth.
I almost wrote a check out, yeah, then I asked myself

(chorus)

Would He wear a pinky ring, would He drive a fancy car?
Would His wife wear furs and diamonds, would His dressin' room have a star?
If He came back tomorrow, well there's somethin' I'd like to know
Could ya tell me, Would Jesus wear a Rolex on His television show.

Would Jesus be political if He came back to earth?
Have His second home in Palm Springs, yeah, a try to hide His worth?
Take money, from those poor folks, when He comes back again,
and admit He's talked to all them preachers who say they been a talkin' to Him?

(chorus)

Just ask ya' self, Would He wear a pinky ring,
Would He drive a fancy car?
Would His wife wear furs and diamonds, would His dressing room have a star?
If He came back tomorrow, well there's somethin' I'd like to know:
Could ya tell me, would Jesus wear a Rolex,
Would jesus wear a Rolex
Would Jesus wear a Rolex
On His television show-ooh-ooh?

[Brad Mercer]

There are 300 million people in the United States. If one third of them are classified as evangelical Christians that 2.6 trillion represents a per capita income of $2,888.67, if I did my math right.

Math is not my strong point. Maybe someone else could tell us how many people were classified as evangelicals and do the math.

At any rate, 10 evangelicals who between them have 2.6 trillion dollars would be impressive. 100 million evangelicals worth that combined figure is less impressive.

Take the combined income of a whole bunch of people and you have a whole bunch of money. I'm not sure how newsworthy that is.

Brad

[Stan Self]

There are 300 million people in the United States. If one third of them are classified as evangelical Christians that 2.6 trillion represents a per capita income of $2,888.67, if I did my math right.

Math is not my strong point. Maybe someone else could tell us how many people were classified as evangelicals and do the math.

At any rate, 10 evangelicals who between them have 2.6 trillion dollars would be impressive. 100 million evangelicals worth that combined figure is less impressive.

Take the combined income of a whole bunch of people and you have a whole bunch of money. I'm not sure how newsworthy that is.

Brad
Brad, I think that should be $26,000 per capita (if I did the math right).

[Laurie Florence]

does that include the money Benny Hinn is looking for to get his personal Jet?

https://www.bennyhinn.org/donate/donatenow.cfm?referrer=na_dove1&CFID=6810870&CFTOKEN=87403691

Wow, I checked out the site:
"Your seed-faith gift makes it possible for Pastor Benny Hinn to take the life-saving and miracle-working power of Jesus Christ to the world through broadcasts, mission outreaches, and crusades.

Donation Amount:

$1000
Other: $

Pastor Benny, I have enclosed a gift of at least $1,000. Please send me the model of Dove One.

Enter name to be included on plane:"

Guess what - The God I worship isn't short of cash.

[Brad Mercer]

Brad, I think that should be $26,000 per capita (if I did the math right).

Thanks! I knew someone would fix that for me. ;-)

The point is that there's not an evangelical Christian trillionaire selfishly hoarding it.

Brad

[Judy Hamilton]

Thanks for the laughs..enjoyed this thread

Judy