Desert Stream Christian Fellowship

The government is concerned. What are they concerned about? The decline in church attendance across the nation of Canada. Why is the government of Canada concerned that fewer people are attending church? The answer may surprise you.

The government of Canada is concerned because the decline in attendance has significant ramifications for charities in Canada. You see studies have shown that people who are part of a faith community are better givers, not just to support their individual church or synagogue but in giving to other charities as well. Whether it is the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Red Cross or the local hospital, the best givers are those who were educated in the principles of giving, as part of their faith.

As church attendance declines so does the number of Canadians who have been educated in the spirit of generosity, for the government of Canada that is not a good thing. The government understands that if charities such as those mentioned above experience a decline in donations, then more expectation will be placed upon the government to fill the void.

Even the Govenor-General David Johnston who has made philanthropy a focus of his tenure, when asked for his childhood memory of generosity named without hesitation, his grandparents. They were Methodists and poor people but they still tithed, giving 10% of everything they earned to the church. “The first ten percent”, he stressed  “not the last”.

As Penelope Burk, the president of Cygnus Applied Research, an international consulting company on fundraising in Hamilton said, “This is a hugely important topic. Religion has a huge impact on turning people toward philanthropy and keeping them pointed in that direction. Who or what is waiting in the wings to pick up the slack?”

Once again the truth is, the world needs you. It needs people who have been raised with a spirit of generosity, who truly believe it is more blessed to give than to receive, who will live and give as Jesus did.

Remember, we are never more like Jesus than when we give… and the world knows it!