Non Profits

Dear Victor,

What do you think of so-called "para church ministries?" We seem to have so many of them these days. And they're all asking for money. They seem to support good causes, that God would want us to care about. But frankly I have trouble with the conflict between my obligation to tithe to the church, and the need to support these worthy causes. I can't afford to do both. How then should we regard para-church ministries?

Evan P. - Little Rock, AR

Dear Evan,

The conflict you feel is real. It comes about because of a situation that God never intended. Para-church ministries are simply non-profit entities that purport to do the work of the church ... but they are not churches. The reason most of them really exist is because the churches aren't doing their jobs. Biblically speaking, churches are supposed to care for the sick, feed the poor, adopt the orphans, care for the widows, fight for justice, etc. So these Christian ministries are simply trying to do the job that the churches aren't doing. And that's the best case scenario.

I don't believe that Christian ministries are Biblical. There is no place in the Bible that calls for - or even allows ministries outside the church. People are supposed to tithe, and give even above the tithe ... to their church. If people were obedient to this call, the church would have a storehouse of resources with which to address these social issues.

Most Christian ministries will be up front about the fact that you need to meet your obligation to tithe to your local church before you give them any money. Donations to Christian ministries are not to come out of your tithe. So be clear on that mandate. Then, after you have tithed, consider what work these ministries are doing and prayerfully consider what support God might have you give them.

While I don't believe that Christian ministries are Biblical, my wife and I do support quite a few of them. But we don't support even a fraction of the ones that ask us for money. That's because we pray and ask God whom we should give money to and how much. He guides our giving. He should guide yours too.