Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Saving The World, One Cent at a Time

Compare: The Gap gives 50% of its profits from certain clothing lines to Product (RED), a campaign to raise money for the Global Fund.* Musicians such as Emmylou Harris, Death Cab for Cutie, and Keith Urban are affiliated with (RED)Wire, which gives 50% of its profits to...you guessed it...Product (RED.) (Sorry if the "(" are driving you crazy, too.)

That's quite a bit of donated dough.


(Bill Gates of Microsoft, Bono of U2, Michael Dell of Dell)

On the other end of the spectrum, evangelical churches give 2 cents out of every dollar to missions. (HT: Boundlessline) To tell the truth, I can't quite wrap my mind around that statistic. Since when did the Gap start caring more about the poor than the Body of Christ?

It brings to mind a striking quote from King David:

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand," (1 Chronicles 29:14.)

Wow. How long has it been since I've felt honored at the privilege of being able to give to God? After all, that's what we're doing when we give to charities. We're giving to God. The God who created us has asked us to give to the poor, the orphan and the widow (James 1:27). He invites us to join Him in loving others.

You'd think we could spare more than two cents.

Do you know of any charities worth supporting? Have you ever held a fundraiser to raise money for those donations? How'd you do it? I'd love to hear your fundraising ideas.


*Not necessarily endorsing donations to The Global Fund or to Product (RED.) The Global Fund provides aid to foreign countries, but it has also been criticized for supporting abortions in China.