“Be good, for goodness’ sake” is a saying embraced and frequently spouted by some atheist activists.
But while this statement is sometimes used to diminish the need for faith, a new survey again shows how Christianity holds powerful sway over people’s decisions when it comes to donations and volunteering habits.
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Let’s explore just four takeaways from the recent survey results released by AdelFi and Lifeway Research:
1. Christian Young Adults Give Three Times More to Charity
First and foremost, the AdelFi and Lifeway Research found Christian young adults between the ages of 25 and 40 report giving three times as much to charity during the year than their non-Christians counterparts.
A Christian young adult gives around $1,820 versus $556 for a non-Christian.
Some might attribute this difference to tithing and giving to church efforts, though Lifeway Research executive director Scott McConnell said it extends beyond that dynamic.
“One would expect Christians to give more than non-Christians to churches and religious organizations, but they are also more likely to donate to 3 out of 4 other types of recipients,” he said. “While overall the financial generosity of Christian young adults is very noticeable, there remains a large group who don’t practice their belief in the need to give to a local church.”
2. Christian Young Adults Are Also More Likely to Believe in Volunteering
We’ll get back to giving, but Lifeway Research also found fascinating results on volunteerism, another essential measure of good works and deeds.
It turns out 74% of Christian young adults expressed the importance of volunteering time to people and causes, compared to 68% of non-Christians.
The gap isn’t massive, yet it is notable.
3. Christian Young Adults Are More Likely to Help Individuals in Need
Another indicator in the survey was the propensity to help individuals and families in need. Research shows that Christian young adults gave double what their non-Christian counterparts offered to families or people struggling over the past year.
The total amount generally given among young people in these cohorts is $603 versus $261.
Considering Christ’s command for believers to “love God” and “love others,” these numbers aren’t entirely surprising. Yet, in a culture where secularism is taking root, these realities are certainly noteworthy.
4. Christian Young Adults See Important Financial Responsibility
Finally, Christian young adults are likely to see the importance of being “good stewards of their finances,” according to Lifeway. In fact, 69% said this is the case, with 85% making financial decisions based on where they want to see themselves in a few years (versus 78% of non-Christians).
Based on an online survey of 905 Americans conducted between Jan. 18–22, 2022, these numbers come as plenty of headlines continue to circulate about the increasing secularization of American culture and diminished faith among Millennials and members of Generation Z.
Considering the importance of charity and helping others, this research — especially in light of changing trends — is important to the cultural narrative. It should be noted the data in this survey is self-reported and isn’t always a perfect science, though The Christian Post noted other research has come to similar conclusions.
There are divergent views and studies on the topic, and it’s sure to continue to be examined.
As Faithwire previously reported, the importance of faith and church attendance to mental health, relationships, and other issues has been demonstrated in additional studies. Read more about that here.
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