If you have been at Element over the last few months you have been taking part in our series through the book of Proverbs that we have been calling “Counter Culture.” It is a series to look at practical ways that followers of Jesus can live out in our lives the great redemption we have first received in the person of Jesus. We have covered a wage range of topics that include parenthood, our hearts, anger, wisdom, foolishness, pride, contentment, money, friendship, work, laziness, and sluggards. We have done this series to hopefully see how living for Jesus in the world can bring a counter-cultural positive change.

In the last 4 weeks we looked at money (twice), contentment (once), and we will be looking at work for the second week this coming Sunday. In looking at the practical and theological ramifications of money, contentedness, and work I wanted to give you some great hope for what can happen in the world when we begin to see ourselves as stewards of God’s stuff rather than merely seeking or own comfort. I am calling this short blog “Some Good News” because there is actually good news going on the world that we don’t hear a lot about and I thought I would share it with you.

Here it is, according to the World Bank standards 1.1 billion people (that’s billions with a BIG B) in the world have been lifted out of extreme poverty since 1990. This doesn’t mean there isn’t more to be done, but it does mean that mission efforts are making a difference. Barna’s recent book The Good News About Global Poverty, which is based on surveys of the U.S. public and pastors, “points to the power of empathy and optimism in facilitating justice for the poor.” How has this happened decline in global poverty happened (because we all know governments are notoriously bad at using money well)? It turns out that Christians are more generous, not just with their money but with their time. Practicing Christians outpace every other demographic in the world in giving of their resources and time to make a difference. 

Barna states that, “Practicing Christians outpace all U.S. adults in participation in a variety of actions to help the poor, in the U.S. and abroad.” They also found that those who had greater hope that the world could be changed for the better were those who were actually willing to try. I know when we look at our culture and our world around us it almost seems like a daunting task to live in a counter-cultural way, but we must be willing to try in the strength that God provides. Too often followers of Jesus are blasted in pop culture…and yet, despite all the voices to the contrary, Jesus’ followers are making the biggest difference.

These statistics, as I have said previously, are wonderful, but we shouldn’t just pat ourselves on the back and move on. We must remember that all we do is for God’s glory and not our own. As important as it is to alleviate suffering where we find it, we must also speak of the saving grace of a God who has called us to be His ambassadors to the world.

In the next few weeks Element will be sharing with you all of our efforts locally and globally to make a difference. You will see how your support helps Element to give in areas that not only alleviate suffering, but also seeks to connect people in community that will speak of the saving grace of Jesus. In speaking about how God cares for each of us, Jesus reminds us in Luke 12:23, “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing…” As people who follow Jesus we must be concerned with both aspects, and that is what we want to be about in our endeavors at Element.

So cheer up, the work is far from over, but there is hope to be celebrated. Our hope and prayer over the last couple of months is that you have been drawn into greater trust of who God is in your finances and life. If you missed the proverbs series you can find it here.