Preachers, Facebook and Begging for Money

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Armapeet.Singh

I noticed that a missionary on this forum seems to always a bee asking for donations. How do you feel about that?

I can't fault someone who desperately wants to feed starving children, whose family is of good reputation among Apostolic brethren.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Amanah

I can't fault someone who desperately wants to feed starving children, whose family is of good reputation among Apostolic brethren.

I feel that this thread is a passive aggressive attack

[Sister Alvear]

I always show my needs on facebook as many of my friends ask me to do so including pastors. However I have never taken money without letting the pastor know.

My husband does not tell our people who to give to and who not to give to but I understand that some people can be taken in and give to wrong causes but it is their money....

[jediwill83]

I will continue to give as directed by the Spirit as I am moved by compassion and I have the ability to do so. Man is not the gatekeeper to my giving.

Scripture says to give to anyone that asks.

Furthermore, if Christ directed us to feed and give water to our enemies, give them our cloak as well as our coat, go two miles instead of one, how much more should we do for our friends? Our sisters and brothers in the faith?

Ezekiel 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

Im all for teaching good stewardship and responsibility and using wisdom and discernment but Im not running to my pastor and asking permission and he doesn't want me doing it either.

Some of yall dont know what its like to watch those you care for and love go without and know that if you only had a bit more, you could help.

Some of you dont know what its like to be trying to save lives and need some extra hands to help pull a kid out from under a rolled over vehicle, gas spilled, cars still on but too damaged to turn it off...any second it could go up in flames, you're trying to be brave and not show how scared you are so the kid doesnt freak...all you need is a couple more people.

Car pulls up...3 big muscle bound guys get out....more than enough! You yell for them to hurry...you already have it planned...they lift and you pull, keeping the patient stable*real story btw before I was even in EMS*

But as they approach they start loudly worrying about snakes in the grass...grass that you ran through without a moments hesitation or concern for your own safety and also start yelling about the smell of gas and talking about explosions which you were trying to keep your patient from thinking about and then to top that off they get distracted by their dog that got loose.

All these things were more concerning to them than saving a life...than someone in pain and suffering and I was too powerless to do anything on my own with the second girl who wasnt pinned.

The anger and frustration was immense and Im a pretty chill dude...but I couldn't understand why the misplacement of priorities. It was so clear to me what was more important in the situation...saving her life was #1 It over rode my fear of deep water filled ditches, tall snake filled grass and possible explosions.

We did get her out finally and got her to safety and I learned a valuable lesson....everybody dont got their priorities in the right place...some people too worried about possible snakes in the grass than saving souls.

Its the same way in the church....got someone putting their life on the line to help others and all the onlookers getting offended at their methods and their desperation of the need standing around judging with their misplaced priorities hoarding up treasures they cant take with them when they cross that old Jordan river but expressing disdain at those who beg for help to reach and feed people.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by houston

I feel that this thread is a passive aggressive attack

Only cons can answer that!
Cons?????

[Sister Alvear]

The next time someone says, "The poor you will always have with you..." Be sure to complete the sentence: "Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land."

[Scott Pitta]

Every week, strangers stop at the church asking for handouts. Usually more than once per week.

To separate the wheat from the chaff, all who desire assistance need to apply at the local police department. If they pass the screen, they can ask the churches for assistance. There is a coop of us churches that do it this way and we keep track who gets what, so no one goes from church to church asking for aid.

If a person is given 20 bucks for gas (the usual request) they can only ask once every 6 months.

It may sound harsh, but it works. 90% of those who stop at out church and then are directed to fill out a form at the local police department never show up at the police department.

At the church, we can only provide such aid as is in that specific fund. We do not use general fund dollars for charity. It is hard enough making payroll as it is.

Of course, I am retired. No longer the treasurer.

[Sister Alvear]

I think it is good that we know what we are supporting. Anyone is welcome here to look over what I do with funds.

[jediwill83]

Originally Posted by Scott Pitta

Every week, strangers stop at the church asking for handouts. Usually more than once per week.

To separate the wheat from the chaff, all who desire assistance need to apply at the local police department. If they pass the screen, they can ask the churches for assistance. There is a coop of us churches that do it this way and we keep track who gets what, so no one goes from church to church asking for aid.

If a person is given 20 bucks for gas (the usual request) they can only ask once every 6 months.

It may sound harsh, but it works. 90% of those who stop at out church and then are directed to fill out a form at the local police department never show up at the police department.

At the church, we can only provide such aid as is in that specific fund. We do not use general fund dollars for charity. It is hard enough making payroll as it is.

Of course, I am retired. No longer the treasurer.

so you let the cops be your gatekeepers to decide who is worthy of help?

So youll help them IF..they dont have a warrent and IF they arent on the sex offender registry for something crazy like steaking, urinating in public or a non contact sex crime or being 18 with a 16 year old gf with angry parents or if they are addicts...maybe they have had bad run ins with the police before and are too scared.

I wouldnt let cops be the gatekeepers of my giving bro.

Imagine if Paul would have said, "Ok....we will help....but first, you need to be interviewed by these Roman soldiers....its ok...if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to be afraid of!"

[Scott Pitta]

The cops weed out the frauds. The policy is several years old and was designed by the churches involved. It works great.

If you are in need, talking to a cop is not a problem. But those frauds are rather shy