Recession and Religion

Check your mail - it's that time of the year.  Early in December our mailbox always gets filled with requests for end of year charitable donations.  Religious and service organizations are always hopeful of getting those donations from folks who are either generous during the holiday season or looking for deductions for their annual income tax.  This year the requests have been coming but with a new urgency.  Most religious organizations are facing severe shortages because of a drop in donations, much of which has been caused by the recession.  But the problem also stems from the fact that many believers are not honoring the Lord with their finances.  As a result, some reputable organizations, like Focus On The Family, have already made major updates.  Others are being forced to do the same and  reduce their ministry because they are operating deep in the red.  Organizations such as Pinebrook are facing major deficits and if the economy continues to decline, they may be forced to make difficult decisions about their existence.  Pinebrook has already made major cuts in staff and in programs.  Churches are also running in the red as contributions decline.  I know of two Bible Fellowship churches that are facing deficits of over $100,000 and $60,000.  Our church has been running between $50,000 to $60,000 behind budget.  We should break even for 2008 but only because many planned expenditures have not been made.  But we, like many churches and organizations, have huge mortgages to meet because of recent building.  Those were decisions made in a time of plenty.  Failure to meet budgets brings up the possibility of cutting more programs, eliminating staff, or even, as a last resort, foreclosure.  And as more members face layoffs, the problem deepens.  Will we see religious organizations and churches close their doors?  Let's pray that this doesn't happen.  Let's pray that more folks will honor the Lord with their tithe and make a commitment to support the work of the Lord, even in tough times.  Unfortunately, too many believers have not done that in good times.  If all church members would just give their tithe, we'd be looking for places to expand ministry.  The solution is really that easy.  Maybe the Lord will use the recession to force believers to examine their priorities before God.  And churches will need to be much more diligent in the use of the Lord's money and maybe that is a lesson that we need to learn.   However, lest we forget, our Father does "own the cattle on a thousand hills" and the recession is not a problem for Him.  The question is really how will each of us respond with what He allows us to have.