In the next little while you are going to see sad pictures of sick and dying folks in Haiti. It's going to rip you apart. You will have an impulse to reach for your checkbook. To do SOMETHING. I understand.
BUT, if you give to an organization that just does something, or has good commercials, or has spokesmen like Bill Clinton, you might be expanding the secular system over the Christian Kingdom of GOD.
NOW is the time for all Christians to give carefully and thoughtfully to organizations dedicated not only to feeding, clothing, housing and tending to medical needs but to focus on the infinite healing of the Spirit. It's OK to give to organizations outside of the Kingdom of God like the RED CROSS or some UN organization as long as you understand that they are not changing the world.
Many well meaning people have squandered their substance in money by giving to groups who do good work but not God's work. It's like a man with a large land holding. He has wealth. Much wealth. A crisis takes place in an adjacent town. Fire. Devastation. He could go there and help the people by bringing food and shelter in the burned over ruins or, better, he could bring the wounded people into his house, onto his property. Provide for them. Equip them and at some point when they are healed up, send them out in HIS name to help others and live their lives in connection with the Landsman.
That's a picture of kingdom building.
We have to begin to take this opportunity to do with it what we Didn't do during Katrina, what we didn't do during the Tsunami, what we didn't do during the China earthquakes. We must go to the people, do all in the mighty name of Jesus. Not to build churches or dependency. We must be bold to show them the Love of Christ.
SO, as we give, as we dig deep and we will choose carefully organizations that reflect your spiritual values. Give to organizations that will build the Kingdom of God on this earth. We don't get many chances to be so bold in the face of disaster. God is calling us by this.....WILL WE ANSWER....MORE IMPORTANT. HOW?
2 comments:
I agree with you totally. I'm a very big sower and I've been cutting back giving to secular organizations to give much more to Christian ones. Not saying that secular organizations are bad but Christian organizations look at filling spiritual as well as physical needs of those they help in a Christ-centered approach. They often have many volunteers and take a lot less in administration costs. Lastly, they are accountable to GOD for the way they use donated money in His Name. That's very important - at least for most Christians. I always think of this aspect when I handle donated money.
Some additonal places that are SOLID and GODLY.
FRANKLIN GRAHAM- SAMARITANS PURSE
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/
GAIN USA
http://www.gainusa.org/site/c.ihLNK3PFLmF/b.4124611/k.B255/Global_Aid_Network.htm
Operation Blessing http://community.ob.org/site/PageServer
YWAM- YOUTH WITH A MISSION
https://www.ywam.org/secure/donations/donate.asp?project=10&bhcp=1
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