A better way to give?
 

I spent the morning online looking for a charity that deals specifically with human trafficking. I love the way the Lord leads and guides us to places we never pictured ourselves. The impetus for my search came as I was reading an inspiring message last night on the internet. It was from a church far from my home that there was no chance I could visit and I wondered how I had landed there when what I was really looking for was local churches.

Still I was moved by what I read and believed God had sent me there for encouragement. They had a 'donate' button on the site and I thought theirs was a message I'd love to see reach more people... so I clicked it... And God's greater purpose popped up in the form of a screen that said instead of a donation, to give my money to the truly poor. Those that have not enough for sustenance, those who are forgotten and abused... because... get this... These folks ADMIT they have plenty. While they are not well off they never go to bed hungry, are never sick from lack of clean water, nor ever cold for lack of clothing or shoes. No one is physically abusing them, they are mostly healthy and happy. I was amazed, as this is the first time I've ever found a church community without a list of 'needs'.

I am hugely disappointed that I was not able to again find their site this morning so I could at least send a note of thanks for the eye-opener. I am going to take that advice however. I am ashamed of how I have given my money in the past... to building funds and fundraisers for trips for the youth or for a vacation for the pastor. I have asked God's forgiveness for my carelessness and poor stewardship and have vowed to improve. Jesus came to the world a poor man and his love for the poor was at the forefront of much of his ministry. I have to take that to heart and make it a reality in my life.

How do you feel about your own giving? Do you feel that you have really touched the heart of God with it? How do you see you would like it to be?

Re: A better way to give?
 

I think you have hit the nail on the head. Most of us in America are millionaires by the rest of the world's standards, yet we are the first to gripe and complain about our difficulties, instead of finding someone worse off than ourselves to help.

I am deeply convicted in my own heart about helping those who are less fortunate than even myself.

Our family has become regular donators to the Salvation Army, because they helped my husband's family. When he was growing up many times they had no food, were being physically abused, and hurting in every way, emotionally, and physically. My husband's mom attended a well known apostolic church who never once lifted a finger to help her situation, but only poured on heavy condemnation and guilt. The only hope my husband's family ever got was from local charities, but especially the Salvation Army.

I would much rather give my dollars to a group who helps those in need than to give it to a minister/group who spends it on fancy living, vacations, housing, and dining.

We also like to help people that we know are hurting by sending them anonymous donations (with a money order) so they don't know who did it, but just can only thank the Lord. We don't want any accolades or even thanks, we just want to help those in need. I think that is part of laying up your treasures in heaven. It is a blessing to give to those in need, and knowing that only you and the Lord know about it!

I can't get away from this scripture in Luke, which I posted in another thread, but will share it here too, as it applies to your thoughts as well...

Luke 12:29-37

29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

35Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

36And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.


To be honest, we have never sold all that we have and given it away, so I have not attained yet to Christ's wishes here... yet it is my desire to give away to my brother or sister who is in need... not just a ministry or a man in a position who wastes it on wordly materialistic things.... much more important that we take care of the poor and those in need, especially our families, and parents, and if a minister should be one of those in need, I would be glad to provide support and sustenance to him... but why should we enable the lifestyles of those who are living as Kings instead of servants?

If I should see a minister who is living as a servant in both his heart, and lifestyle, that is the one I would be willing to support, and help in every way possible. They are hard to find, but I know they are out there.

I too would be interested in knowing more about the church that you are speaking of, if you can find more information about them.

Re: A better way to give?
 

You have a "history," T2W, that
should go back 3 days or so... if
you divulge your browser, google even
will tell you how to get your history
for that browser.

Re: A better way to give?
 

If you are interested in reading a book about sex trafficking in America I just got back from the Catalyst Atlanta 2012 conference and one of the books they gave us there is titled "The White Umbrella" by Mary Frances Bowley.

The blurb on the back cover says that "every year over 100,000 girls in the USA are forced to do someone's sexual bidding. Most of them are between the ages of 9 and 19".

Their effort to combat this is called "The White Umbrella Campaign"

Re: A better way to give?
 

I like giving to Voice Of The Martyrs. They give support to persecuted and poor believers. They also give them Bibles.

Re: A better way to give?
 

Thanks for the suggestions CC1 and MTD.... y'all rock!:highfive

Re: A better way to give?
 

So I guess you folks don't attend church anywhere? Or don't have a pastor?

Re: A better way to give?
 

http://i.imgur.com/Lh0Hg.jpg
Rather than be a Spiff-hog, I would like to take this opportunity
to put him in the AFF domain :lol

Re: A better way to give?
 

I knew I was in trouble when my 5 year old started reading Calvin and Hobbes...
Now he thinks he is Calvin.

Re: A better way to give?
 

I attend church most weeks... looking for a new church home. I was a tither for 3 decades. I no longer tithe to a local church but rather try to find ways to use my money to really honor God. If I do find a new home church I will contribute to whatever level is necessary to keep the building. I will not be picking a church home with a large or expensive building to maintain.

In my personal life I moved 5 years ago from a very large home to less than 1,000 sq ft. I just could not believe that God would bless me with tons of empty space to collect junk in... Kirklands misses me I'm sure :)

It's all about simplicity and storing my treasure in heaven.

Re: A better way to give?
 

Not playing word games here, but it's impossible to tithe to a 'church'. The church is us, not a man made, building based, money hungry organization of men.

Very very little of my giving goes to support a man made system anymore.

Re: A better way to give?
 

Using the common vernacular here in order to facilitate understanding.

To be more clear and correct; If I find a group of called out ones that choose to meet in a building, and I choose to meet with them regularly, I will do my financial part to maintain the building. However, I plan to continue to use any other money I am prospered by God to do the Kingdom's work in a way that truly honors Him.

Hope that clears things up. :)

Re: A better way to give?
 

Hope everything works out okay.

Re: A better way to give?
 

While most Americans are extremely wealthy compared to the rest of the world... America has a rather high cost of living that leaves many Americans one paycheck away from sleeping under a bridge.

Re: A better way to give?
 

Good point Aquila....I believe there is a proverbial two edged sword here...on one hand, you can't be truly thankful to God and constantely complain about your plight in life...but conversely, you can't be truly thankful and be self loathing at the same time either...

No wonder it is not wise to compare ourselves among ourselves or measure ourselves by each other.

...let every man as he purposes in his heart give...not grudgingly or of necessity...God loves a cheerful giver.

The point is...be a giver, and if you are thankful and aware of your own frame, and aware of Gods grace and mercy in your life, you will be a happy giver indeed.

I pray that God helps us all to be more sensitive, thankful, and aware so we can love God and love our neighbor...

Re: A better way to give?
 

Yes but until they miss that paycheck they have

Cable TV
Resturant meals
High speed internet
A new car (that comes with a high payment)
More living space then needed by two people
Enough clothing and shoes that if they had to actually 'wear it out' they might be clothed for a decade or more.

High cost of living vs luxury lifestyle... hummm... maybe we should get honest. My son breifly managed apartments while in college. I've seen people evicted from apartments have their big screen set out on the sidewalk. If most people lived frugally they could quickly save enough money to be debt free and be able to live a year without a job. All we did was cut out the huge house, two new cars, and resturant meals and waaa-laa... my husband can retire next year!

My world.

Yes but until they miss that paycheck they have

Cable TV
NOT AN EXPENSE THAT I CAN AFFORD

Resturant meals
FAR AND FEW IN BETWEEN. PB&J ARE MY NEW BEST FRIEND.

High speed internet
MOBILE INTERNET. I DON'T OWN A PC.

A new car (that comes with a high payment)
MY TRUCK IS A 94

More living space then needed by two people
I OCCUPY A BEDROOM AND A 2ND STORY DEN

Enough clothing and shoes that if they had to actually 'wear it out' they might be clothed for a decade or more.
I ONLY PURCHASE AN ITEM IF IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

Re: A better way to give?
 

I already really liked you but you just gained tons of respect points :)

I've almost got your soap ready, I'd love to gift it to you. It would bless me.

I have difficulty receiving things from people. I walk away feeling like I owe a debt.

Re: A better way to give?
 

Thus failing to see that you are a member
of a kingdom, and everything you get God
gives you. Receiving is harder for everybody :lol

Naw, I know people that would take more than offered.

Re: A better way to give?
 

I've had that same problem for years... Then a friend shared with me that if I refuse to ever be helped I cheat those who would help me out of their blessings. Since then it's gotten a lot easier to see that every good thing comes from God... sometimes He just uses people to drop them off :)

Re: A better way to give?
 

Ok... I agree to the terms and conditions.