Each month I receive a variety of solicitations from worthy Christian organizations asking for money. These organizations are doing great things to help those in need both physically and spiritually. Right now on my desk I have requests from the following organizations:
ServLife – this organization has a vision to equip 1000 indigenous leaders to share the gospel with their own people, educate and care for 1000 children through sponsorships, and help start 1000 micro-businesses to rescue people out of poverty – all by the year 2013.
World Vision – we currently support a young boy in Ghana through World Vision. This month they have sent me an urgent request to send money to help their relief efforts in the Sudan where thousands of children are starving in refugee camps.
Samaritan’s Purse – Franklin Graham is asking for money to help their efforts in the Congo. The Zandes Christians are being persecuted and massacred by the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army). Samaritan’s Purse is providing relief aide in the Congo for those left without homes and families.
The American Bible Society – this organization provides bibles throughout the world in hundreds of languages.
How am I supposed to decide who to support?
How much am I supposed to give away?
The most common barometer I hear is that God calls all of us to give back 10% of whatever he gives us. If you do a search on “tithing” on the internet, you’ll find all sorts of articles for and against tithing. Is that the answer? Set aside 10% and divide it evenly among everyone in need?
Tithing was part of the mosaic law and as Christians we are free from the law. Besides, the tithe was only part of what God required of the Israelites to give.
The law is now written on our hearts, and as we learn from the sermon on the mount, (Matt 5:1-48), the written law is often easier than what God expects from our heart.
So,when it comes to tithing, because we are weak, that may be a good place to start. But do we really think keeping 90% for ourselves is the reflection of the heart God desires for us?
Here I am back to my dilemma. How much do I give?
If I truly search my heart, I know that wherever I draw the line on giving, it is because that next dollar crosses the line on how much I am willing to do without.
To put the question more directly - How much am I willing to do without for those that have nothing?
Where do you draw the line?
VERY well thought through and written.
ReplyDeleteYou echo my thoughts and feelings, although I could not verbalise them that well.
I'm trying to change where I draw the line, but it's hard to redefine the line when you have a family and need to convince them to redraw the line too!