1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Featured How often to give to para-church ministries?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by evangelist6589, Jul 19, 2014.

  1. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Do you give often to para church ministries? No need to boast about how much you give as that would be unbiblical but I sure wish people would give more. I regularly give to Grace To You, ligonier, and tract/gospel ministries that have the charge to spread the gospel to all the world. While I disagree with the gospel presentation of Pocket Testament League, I agree 100% with their mission to give out the Gospel of John to everyone and so regularly give them money.

    Some ministries try and dice up giving by giving out free books and DVD's, but I find this to be a problem for a book person like me, so I have found it better giving to places that do not do this. What about you? There are also ministries I would not give to, because their gospel presentation and doctrine is Shallow. Greg Laurie, Back to the Bible, Charles Swindoll, and others I no longer donate. I'd donate to Mac, Washer, and Sproul instead.
     
  2. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    If I remember correctly - did you not some time ago complain about your bills and finances?

    I think it is great to give to Scripturally sound organizations - (in addition to your church) - but if you are in a bind - maybe you should re-consider your giving and get those bills paid off.
     
  3. padredurand

    padredurand Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2004
    Messages:
    4,541
    Likes Received:
    102
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Not one thin dime.
     
  4. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2006
    Messages:
    52,013
    Likes Received:
    3,649
    Faith:
    Baptist
    None if you are struggling with debt.
     
  5. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2004
    Messages:
    7,406
    Likes Received:
    101
    After we commit our tithe to the local church, I will support some para-church ministries but not many. I prefer seeing ministries coming out of the local church or denominational activities than a para-church.
     
  6. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2012
    Messages:
    13,757
    Likes Received:
    222
    As often as the Holy Spirit directs.:thumbsup:
     
  7. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,783
    Likes Received:
    158
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I gave a one-time $25.00 to Tony Evans' ministry about 12 years ago, with a note that it was simply one time because I could not afford to give regularly

    I think they spent the whole 25 bucks on postage, sending me requests for more donations. That was the last time I gave any money to any ministry like that
     
  8. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I strive to give at least 10% and I will usually split that up between my church and para church ministries.
     
  9. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I had to charge almost $300 to my CC last week due to some car repairs, etc.. I paid that off with this check and made min payments on all my debts. I strive to pay at least 10% to the church and para-church ministries. But I do not believe the tithe is for the NT Church but just free will giving as it was a OT Tax and never carried over to gentiles and those under the New Covenant. Besides in those days many pagan and mystery religions paid 10% to their deity and trying to carry the tithe to the new covenant is wrong.

    If not for that repair I would have been able to save some and add a little more to my debt payoff just as long as I keep costs down which I am striving to do. I did however get $50 FREE in 2 Credit Card cash back deals which is what you can earn by using a Credit Card for all costs instead of a debt card and just paying it back after each purchase. Crown Financial says this can be a good thing about Credit Cards just as long as you pay it back.
     
    #9 evangelist6589, Jul 19, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 19, 2014
  10. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Oh yes that is a drawback as I often get bombed by miniseries asking for donations.

    Bye the way I still did not get the books yet so not sure if you mailed them.
     
  11. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,783
    Likes Received:
    158
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I'm sorry, John. I had a pretty hectic week and a half or so, and have not mailed them yet. I'll try o get them out today while I'm running some errands.

    Did you see where I replied to your question about PMs? I have not received any
     
  12. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Thanks James for letting me know. I have not received any PM's from you. I thank you for sending the the books as a gift. I cannot buy any books at this time unless for a Sunday School class when I teach or for our assigned reading until I finish books of which I completed 3 in the past month going on the 4th one.
     
  13. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,783
    Likes Received:
    158
    Faith:
    Baptist
    No problem with the books. I'd rather see someone get some use out of them rather than just collecting dust or moisture in my basement

    I thought you said in a different thread that you sent me a couple of PMs. I could be mistaken, though.
     
  14. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist

    I did but you did not get them. Let me know when you mail them. Bye the way have you been reading the book I sent? The author has a burning passion for evangelism. Regardless of his Arminian disposition he sure has motivated me to reach the lost.
     
  15. preacher4truth

    preacher4truth Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2010
    Messages:
    8,121
    Likes Received:
    17
    Unfortunately I've heard some well known preachers talk about giving away a free book. Some say 'If this is the first time you've contacted us you'll get such and such book with no obligation', and this right from the preachers mouth. I sent off once to a well known preacher for a free book. Never got it, but I'm bombarded with requests for money.

    Isn't this called lying?

    Yes, in fact it is, and it happens to too many to be just a 'slip through the cracks' or 'an oversight'.
     
  16. HAMel

    HAMel Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2009
    Messages:
    2,099
    Likes Received:
    96
    Faith:
    Baptist
    What is a "para-church"?
     
  17. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Get on the mailing lists of Grace to You and Ligioner with RC Sproul. They give out books all the time.
     
  18. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    That appears to be your problem.
    When you receive your bill - take a good look- there is usually a section showing how long it takes to pay off a bill with the minimum amount due.

    By paying an extra $30 a month (@ 20% APR) you are saving at least $6 per annum in interest per payment. So 12 payments of $30 above your minimum you are saving $72 interest in a year.

    I trust you are making the biggest payments to accounts with the highest APR.

    You do not "pay" as it is not a required bill - you did put it better in your next paragraph - "free-will giving"

    Interesting point - but separate subject:
    New thread
     
  19. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    10,285
    Likes Received:
    163
    Faith:
    Baptist

    I would pay more of I had the income. But you know I only get 40 hours, have car repairs and other bills and only make $14/hr in Denver CO so I am not exactly rich.

    But small debts I pay off fast as I had almost $300 in new CC debt which I paid off in one check. What I can pay I do which shows my heart is right.

    Brothers at the Calvinist church told me my heart is right and to be faithful to what I can pay. However they did not promise me I would be able to pay off my debts in this life for I may not.
     
  20. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    What does Calvinist have to do with it.
    As I recommended in the other thread - pay your bills first.

    Salty

    Ps - wish I made $14 an hour
     
Loading...