September 2010
Dear Fellow Investors and Friends:
I recently came across a web site called “global rich list”. The site is maintained by a London-based company called Poke. I can’t comment on the company, but it appears that their purpose in developing the site is to help people realize just how rich they are in relation to the rest of the world in order to inspire them to share what they have with others who are less fortunate. A noble goal in my view.
The site uses data from the World Bank Development Research Group. It includes a calculator that tells you where you rank based on your annual income. According to that tool:
- $25,000 puts you in the top 10% richest people in the world.
- $50,000 puts you in the top 1%
- $100,000 puts you in the top .66%, and
- $125,000 puts you in the top .49%.
As believers, we acknowledge God’s ownership of all things, including all He has entrusted to us. Likewise, most of us consider carefully what He would have us do with His financial resources. We express our understanding and our faith through what we give, buy, invest in, and save.
In light of this, I thought the site was both convicting and praise-inspiring. Convicting in its message to consider the lavishness of what God has poured out on us and the need to remember, For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required
(Luke 12:48). And praise-inspiring as I reflected on the sheer goodness of God and His love.
Thank you for investing a portion of what God has entrusted to you in building Alliance churches where lives are transformed and His kingdom is advanced!
As always, please let me know if you have questions or comments. They are most welcome.
Sincerely,
Lawrence L. McCooey, CPA, PFS
President
P.S. You can check current ADF rates here.
Download a pdf of this letter.