The Global Financial Integrity Center totaled up all the goods and services that flowed into poor countries and compared that to all the goods and services that flowed out of those poor countries. They found: $1.3 trillion flowed into poor countries but $3.3 trillion was drained out of those same countries and went into the pockets of the rich, in the form of excessive interest and the unreported transfer of cash into secret bank accounts. Cheaters. Sadly, reports say even some ministers use their positions to cheat the poor out of their meager resources to pad the minister’s pockets. When the Apostle Paul urged God’s people to give, he laid out principles of integrity to guide them in giving. These guidelines can be found in 2 Corinthians CH 9: Paul said give voluntarily, expecting the gift to be used for its intended purpose. Give cheerfully and generously, but expecting accountability. Give based on what you have, expecting God to resupply you. Give expecting the receivers to be grateful and to pray for you. God blesses generous givers; he withholds his approval and blessings from misers and cheaters.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
