The Five Trillion Dollar Drain: Unmasking the Global Cost of Corruption

[Don't miss the important announcement at the end of this post!]

This past week we were able to enjoy a visit from one of our partners from South Asia and learned about more than 2000 churches that have been planted in the marketplace in the past two years!  There are small churches gathering in factories, laboratories, hospitals, schools, transportation centers, farms, and more!  The priesthood of believers are disciples making disciples who are making disciples (2 Timothy 2:2).  

While we celebrate this, we understand that this is happening in a context where it is very difficult to be a Christian, where there is persecution and corruption which can be so discouraging.

We often think that poverty causes corruption, and sometimes that can be true.  Proverbs 30 says that God should give neither poverty nor riches...or I might have too much and disown God or have too little and steal.  But Vishal Mangalwadi, an Indian Christian philosopher, tells us that the opposite is more true - corruption causes poverty.

This excellent video gives perspective on corruption by using examples of the consequences of honesty and corruption in both the Netherlands and India.  Vishal Mangalwadi shares that corruption costs five trillion dollars every year and adds no value to the cost of goods that are being sold.  

He says that transforming a nation requires cultivating character.  He says that nations need more than investment, aid, or protests.  They need hearts and minds that are transformed.

Please take a few minutes to watch this three-minute video.  This is what Discipling Marketplace Leaders is seeking to do.  When we do our work as an act of worship, instead of for our own personal gain, it changes everything.  

In this week of Thanksgiving, we are thankful for the mission of God, which invites us to participate in bringing reconciliation to all spheres of creation - including hearts and minds transformed in the marketplace!  We are also thankful for each of you who has partnered with us, in prayer, encouragement, and financial support.  The demand for this message continues to grow and we could not respond without you!

PS - In light of Giving Tuesday, just a few days after Thanksgiving, we will be announcing that a generous donor has agreed to match any new recurring donations for 2024 (up to $25,000 USD).  This means if you give a monthly gift of $50 to DML, the donor will match that for twelve months! Additionally, on Giving Tuesday only, they have agreed to match any gift over $250.  Please prayerfully consider if you can partner with us in this way to reach more people in 2024!  Go to Donate - Discipling Marketplace Leaders - giving is easy with ACH, PayPal, and credit cards!