FromNowUntilForeverBook8.5x5.5 REV.indd

While most people would never think of eating money, they’re doing their best to attain and accumulate all they can, storing up for themselves “Treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). An indicator that Paul’s prophetic words are spot on is the fact that the percentage of what Americans give to their churches has declined steadily over the years, despite the fact the economy has experienced great heights during that same period. Statistics show that giving as a percent of income has dropped from 3.02% in 1968 to 2.21% in 2012. 6 Compare that to the Great Depression when church goers put 3.3% into the plate.What’s more alarming is the fact that as many as half of all church members reported giving nothing at all. 7 Never has there been a time when we’ve had more yet enjoyed it less. “Show me the money” has become the mantra of the day. Hedonism (lovers of pleasure)—According toWebster, hedonism is “the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life.”This philosophy takes its name from the Greek word hedone, which means “delight.” I can’t help but reflect on Disney’s The Adventures of Pinoc- chio, based on the book by Carlo Collodi, when considering this condition. In the movie, Pinocchio and a group are taken to Pleasure Island, where they are encouraged to drink beer, gam- ble, smoke cigars, etc. –all the things that young boys shouldn’t do. Soon, their laughter is replaced by braying and they eventu- ally turn into donkeys. I sometimes tell our congregation we live in the U.S.A., the United States of Amusement. Far too many, even church goers, have become spiritual donkeys.When the weekend rolls around, they escape to Pleasure Island, participating in worldly

13