The Radical Experiment Part 3

Our hearts follow our money. This is a dangerous reality for American Christians and a blind spot in American Christianity. I've heard it said that if we are more concerned with our money than with the things of God, we should give it away. What would it look like if we set a cap on our lifestyles in pursuit of the American Dream for the sake of the gospel and the desperate need around us?

Part three of a five part series based on the book Radical by David Platt.

THE RADICAL EXPERIMENT 
A one year challenge to radical obedience

The five components 
1.  pray for the entire world
2.  read through the entire Word
3.  sacrifice your money for a specific purpose
4.  spend your time in another context
5.  commit your life to a multiplying community

Sacrifice Your Money for a Specific Purpose

We are an affluent people living in an impoverished world. If we make only $10,000/year, we are wealthier than 84% of the world and if we make $50,000/ year, we are wealthier than 99% of the world. Meanwhile, more than a billion people live in desperate poverty, lacking food, water, clothing and shelter.

What would it look like for you (or your family) to make intentional sacrifices over the next year for the glory of Christ in light of specific, urgent needs in the world?

The key here is sacrifice, not merely giving. Sacrifice is giving away what it hurts to give. Sacrifice is not giving according to your ability; it’s giving beyond your ability.

  Important factors to consider when deciding where and how to give:

1.  Spend your money on something that is gospel centered.

Although there are many organizations aimed at serving specific needs in the world, a person’s greatest need in the world is Christ. To meet people’s temporary physical needs apart from serving their eternal spiritual need misses the point of holistic biblical giving.

2.  Give in a way that is church focused.

God’s primary agent for bringing redemption to the world in an effort to meet the needs of the world is the church.

3.  Give to a specific, tangible need.

For example, if you are trying to sacrifice your money generally “to give to the poor,” then you will lack a face on the need that reminds you why you must sacrifice to give. Give to someone or something you can personally serve alongside. The more you are involved with touching need personally, the more you will demonstrate the gospel to people authentically. Connect your giving to your going.

4.  Give to someone or something you can trust.

There are abuses of charitable giving, and as stewards of God’s resources, we are responsible for giving to those who will handle our donation with integrity. Also, give in sustainable ways that will promote long term sustenance instead of short term satisfaction of need.

For one year, sacrifice your money- every possible dollar- in order to spend your life radically on specific, urgent spiritual and physical need in the world.

Used from the book Radical by Davis Platt