The following excerpt is from an article written by Ronnie Floyd (president of the Southern Baptist Convention and senior pastor of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas) for The Baptist Press.

The most recent research by empty tomb, inc. reveals the following:

— Less than 3 percent all Christians tithe, meaning give at least 10 percent of their income to their church.

— In 1968, Americans gave 3.1 percent of their disposable income; now Americans give 2.2 percent, which is less than they gave during the Great Depression.

— At the current rate of decline, by the year 2050, Americans will give only 1 percent of their disposable income to the church; if this occurs, a vast number of churches and missions will be forced to close. http://bpnews.net/45640/cooperative-program—where-is-the-money

   The above statistics published on October 11, 2015, reveal an alarming complacency toward giving to the Cooperative Program on the part of many strong and wonderful churches, filled with many strong and wonderful people.

   So, why are these churches and their congregations so content to leave the Cooperative Program wanting? I do have a theory about that! (taken from my book, Fiery Darts: Satan’s Weapon of Choice).

Scriptures are obvious in describing Satan’s plan in John 10:10a, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;…” (NIV) So what is it that the Enemy desires to steal, kill, and destroy? The answer is obvious – anything God has planned for us! p. 1, FD

   The enemy wants to fix our focus on the economic challenges many churches and many Christians are facing! And what it all boils down to is that we no longer possess the vision to look beyond our present struggles with obedient faith. Like Peter, (Matthew 14:22-33), we allow the tempest to overwhelm us and we take our eyes off our only sure source of deliverance.

   For example, as a result of our lack of giving the International Mission Board is having to tighten their belts and make some drastic changes within its organization. All the while, depleting the personnel needed to reach the world for Christ.

   Therefore, if we could but see that those thoughts that convince us we can’t give a consistent income to the church as fiery darts of the enemy to prevent the Good News about Jesus Christ from reaching the lost world, then we would be less likely to continue cooperating with the enemy! And eventually, the statistics would loudly proclaim that we do care and that we care a great deal!