Did you know that $1 will provide clean drinking water for an African person for an entire year? And that Americans spend $20 Billion on Ice Cream and $15 Billion on bottled water each year?
We're starting The Luxury Fund in hopes of using some of our "luxury money" to help change the lives of those around the world who suffer from great poverty, disease, and injustice. It's just in the beginning stages. In the first stage, a.k.a. "The Experiment," I'm presenting the idea to people that I know, to see what they think and what sort of response there is.
As Americans, we are very privileged. We have access to doctors, food, clean drinking water and systems that protect us from all sorts of injustice. The majority of the people on the planet are not so privileged. We also have small everyday luxuries that we take for granted, like good coffee, bottled water, energy drinks, soft drinks, ice cream, candy bars, movies ... (obviously this list could go on and on.) We as Americans spend hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars each year on these luxuries while many people in this world suffer without access to clean water, a decent food supply, or protection from injustice. While I think we would all agree there is nothing innately wrong with a premium cup of coffee or a sweet treat every now and then, I want to encourage people to be aware of how much they spend on a daily basis on these things and how that same money could impact our neighbors in other parts of the world.
Our family is participating in "The Experiment." We are planning to decide together what daily luxuries we can give up for a month in hopes of making an impact in the world. We hope this month becomes a way of life for us. Would you like to join us in "The Experiment?" For the next few weeks, could you forgo a chosen luxury? The next time you decide to give up a luxury for the day, come put that money in the Luxury Fund, and let's see what we can do.
We have chosen a few incredible organizations to which the Luxury Fund money will be donated. To find out more about these organizations, check out the links on the side of the page. At the end of the this month, we will divide the money evenly among these organizations. The intent behind the Luxury Fund is not to condemn the things we are able to enjoy but to help us become more aware of how we are spending and how we can be giving.
We'll have a real website up before long, but I'd love to have something to give to these groups by the end of this month. I'd really like to know what you all think of this plan.
Stay tuned for more staggering statistics.
Feel free to comment below.
Thanks!!
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7 comments:
Subway for lunch. It is subway,
but it is still a luxury by these standards...If I just stop these visits, just while I eat alone during the coming month...thats alot of water for alot of people...say clean water for around 60 people for one year...
I guess I can get rid of my belly dancers. It will be difficult but I think I can get by. In all seriousness, I love the idea. I'll talk to the wife and decide on what we can give.
good work beau!
Ryan
Our family will be part of this MOVEMENT. We will caucus tonight to figure out what that means. Thank you for leading us.
I think that this is an amazing idea. Thank you for puting action to an idea. I respect your family so much, and your devotion to God and His glory. Thank you for being an encouragement to me!
It would help if I could get a tax write off because I can just give up a luxury and donate to a charity I already support.
This is such a marvellous idea - and it really makes you think about how lucky you are. There are so many things we take for granted that in all reality are luxuries we can do without.
Thank you!!
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