Make it Transformational: A Blog for Champion Discipleship

I went to Globalrichlist.com and discovered that I’m the 43,497,897 richest person in the world.  Even more specific, I’m in the top 0.72% of the world’s population when it comes to wealth.  By American standards, though, I don't feel rich.  I live a modest life with my wife and three children; I drive a ten year old minivan that recently needed major repairs (thanks, Brake Masters!  I think…); and my family, like yours, is forced to stick tightly to a monthly budget in order to make our life work.

But that's the problem - we look at ourselves "by American standards."  There's a whole other world out there.  The other day I told my son that 93% of people in the world do not have a car.  He responded, "Dad, what are you talking about?  Every family in the world has two cars."  His American standard worldview (even though we only have one car).

Here are some words from Globalrichlist.com… 

Every year [Americans] gaze enviously at the lists of the richest people in the world wondering what it would be like to have that sort of cash.  But where would you sit on one of those lists?  Here's your chance to find out.  We [Americans] are obsessed with wealth.  But we gauge how rich we are by looking upwards at those who have more than us.  This makes us feel poor.

We [at Globalrichlist] wanted to do something which would help people understand, in real terms, where they stand globally, and make us realize that, in fact, most of us (who are able to view this web page) are in the privileged minority.

We want people to feel rich.  And give some of their extra money to a worthwhile charity.  How do you feel about that?  Richer and ready to give some of your newly found wealth to those who need it most?  It's not hard - just slip your hand in your pocket and pull out something special.  Many people's lives could be happier if you donated just one hour's salary.

$8 could buy you 15 organic apples - OR 25 fruit trees for farmers in Honduras to grow and sell fruit at their local market.

$30 could buy you an ER DVD Boxset - OR a First Aid kit for a village in Haiti.

$73 could buy you a new mobile phone - OR a new mobile health clinic to care for AIDS orphans in Uganda.

$2400 could buy you a High Definition TV - OR schooling for an entire generation of school children in an Angolan village.

I have to be honest, seeing that I'm in the top 0.72% of the world’s population when it comes to wealth has messed me up a little.  I need to give this more thought and figure what God wants me to do in 2011.  I give to my church and to worthy causes - and feel good about it.  At the end of the day, however, I spend the majority of my money (the money that God has blessed me with) on my life.   

Jesus came and lived the most generous life possible, and I believe His followers (of which I am one) are called to live the same way.  What does this mean for us?  After reading this post, please comment.  I would love to hear more from God through you.

Blessings on your 2011!