Over the years I have read more than one survey that ranks nations according to their charitable giving. These numbers are NOT based upon actual giving, but based upon a percentage of wealth each country gives to charity. Every survey I’ve seen indicates the same simple truth the Word of God teaches: Jesus Christ’s influence on a society is always positive.
For example, the United Kingdom Charities Aid Foundation published an “International comparisons of charitable giving” in November 2006 that ranks donations to charity according to each nation as a percent of each GDP. The top five percentages in order are:
USA – 1.67%
UK – 0.73%
Canada – 0.72%
Australia – 0.69%
South Africa – 0.64%
Look at all of those Muslim nations that made the top five! Wait a minute. It appears the more Christian (or less Muslim) a nation is, the more it gives.
I believe the recent horror in Haiti highlights, again, the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. While I am certain individuals of many different faiths and from different countries have sacrificed to send aid to those in need in Haiti, “Christians” (western nations influenced by the gospel along with those peoples who are truly born-again), in general, have given or pledged much more than their Muslim counterparts.
According to Fox News:
“The United States leads the way among developed nations with $114.5 million donated as of Wednesday, according to the U.N….[while] Saudi Arabia stands alone..[as] the country [that] has neither donated nor pledged so much as a penny or a Band-Aid.”
Although middle eastern governments and royal families have been made rich from oil profits, some of these nations, like Iran and Saudi Arabia, have still given nothing, absolutely nothing, to the needy people of Haiti. According to the same Fox News report, Oil-rich Venezuela hasn’t given any money either. I guess Carl Marx and Muhammad may have something else in common.
Our church, the Southeast Bible Baptist Church, took up three offerings to send to our missionary in Haiti. We raised quite a bit, considering, and it is a bittersweet thing to realize that our humble church has officially given more than an entire region!
Why is America so different? The teachings of Jesus Christ and the Koran are opposites. Jesus teaches love your neighbor. Muhammad teaches kill your neighbor…unless he is a Muslim. You may say I’m being simplistic, and perhaps I am, but facts are facts. Wherever the gospel of Christ has been received, people are more generous. After all, our Savior not only taught the message of giving to others, but He lived and died the message as well!
Frankly, charitable giving is far too low everywhere you look; however, the next time someone says Christians are selfish, go ahead and agree, but then tell them that we are a whole lot less selfish than all the rest.
Je suis a la rechrche d’une mission partenaire pour continuer la construction d’une eglise a la gonave.
[moderator translation] I am in the search of a mission partner to continue the construction of one church to the gonave island of haiti.