RE: Is Giving $$$ to ministries a MUST?

I don't think it's as important as supporting your home church but if there's a ministry that you feel God is using, then I think it's a good idea to kick in a couple of bucks.

Myself, I give a couple of bucks to Steve Brown's ministry when I have it because they helped me out a lot when I was broke and never asked for anything in return.

http://www.keylife.org

 

I constanty get phone calls from ministries asking for $20. thewy won't take no for an answer. They act like I'm not a good christian if I don't give them money, or I'm betraying Jesus or something evil. I was even talked to like that once on the phone because I just didn't have it. I mean good grief my husband make $8. an hour, we tithe at our church, and do extra things(not going to tell) with our money for offerings. And they have enough nerve to call and tell me I'm not a good christian and that God wants me to give them money. I never give money over the phone anymore and say so and hang up on them, I'm not going to stick around and here that garbage. They need to make sure who using their phones.

 

Katie,

I believe there is a website somewhere who ranks and rates legitimate charities/missions. Maybe someone could help by providing the links...otherwise I would use discernment, that charity does not sound too charitable to me!

 

How very sad they had to act that way...definitely less than charitable...like I said, I would check into them further and if this was an isolated event (which it doesn't sound like it was unfortunately) they should look into it and issue you an apology. Otherwise, I would have to question the integrity of the organization.

 

If people call me soliciting, and I say no, and they continue on, I hang up.

 

PW, giving to your local church is a biblical kind of thing. You are obeying God when you give your tithe and offerings. All other giving to Christians ministries to totally optional, based on your ability to give and your inclination to support that particular cause.

Keep in the Word!!!

 

The simple truth is that every ministry needs $$ to operate.

One of our BB members expressed a desire to start a newsletter. Great idea. I read many newsletters and find some to be very useful.

However, it would take a LOT of money to publish and distribute a newsletter to 100,000 people. (Most known Christian ministries have mailing lists in the millions!)

The postage alone on a newsletter with 200,000 subscribers would be around $22,000 per month! (200,000x$0.11 and that's at the bulk rate - not regular rate of $0.34). Who can finance such a ministry? Now add the cost of paper (another $30-40,000), printing (another $50-75,000), etc. and you can easily see that every ministry has 3 options: a.) end the newsletter, b.) charge a subscription fee or c.) ask for donations. Most ministries resort to option c.)

In case of radio, TV ministries, the costs are significantly higher. TV time can cost $100,000 per week. Hardly any church can support such ministry on its own.

Hope this helps.

 

Most of my giving is through my church. I do give to some outside ministries, but that tends to be few and far between, simply because of my limited income. But I do know ministries depend on people who believe in their cause to give---whether it is cash or gifts in kind that can be used or sold for cash.

 

Understanding that all of what we have is the Lord's, ask HIM what He wants done with it! Of course the local church where you belong and/or worship. And if there are other ministries the LORD puts on your heart, obey HIM, not a telephone solicitor or someone else who is begging and pleading.

As far as a newsletter goes, Mr. Webmaster, sir, if you think one would be valuable, consider an electronic one! I receive several which are sent out once a month over emails and appreciate them. No paper waste on my end, no mailing costs on theirs!

Now, about the time involved....

 

Helen, actually it was TGFBG who wanted to start a newsletter An e-newsletter is clearly a good and cost effective idea.

My point was, that I receive dozens of print newsletters and some of those have mailing lists in the millions. For them, mailing costs are in excess of $100,000 per month.

As far as supporting ministries the following system has worked well for us. We give 10% of our gross income to our local Baptist church. On top of that we support dozens of organizations that we feel play a vital role in spreading the Gospel. Also, we give to support missionaries and special offerings at church.

 

BTW, I would recommend to all BB members The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter. It's free and it's an eye opener to the suffering of fellow believers worldwide.

VOM newsletter samples (can print them off the web)

VOM website

FREE VOM newsletter

[ December 31, 2001: Message edited by: webmaster ]

 

I would give zero to Billy Graham, or anyother TV "preacher" and 100 per cent to my local church.
James2

 

Most TV ministries are ministries of a "local church" (i.e. Jerry Falwell, Ed Young, etc.)