Charity Requests

Q: We are really overwhelmed sometimes with the requests we get for donations to charities. They send you mail. They call on the phone. They come to your front door. They send your friends to ask you to support their cause. It seems there's no end to the requests for money. The problem is that so many of them have good causes that seem worthy of support. But there's no way we can support all of them. What's a Christian to do?

A: What a Christian is supposed to do is first realize that virtually all of your money, time and resources belong to the Lord. We are just temporary stewards of these things --- and we are responsible to Him for how we spend or save or donate those resources.

The second thing a Christian is supposed to do is take 10% off the top and give it to your local church as soon as you get it. No exceptions. The remaining 90% of your money, etc. are to be prayed over. "Lord, what would You have me do with this money? How should I spend it?"

And finally, when these requests come in, you pray over each and every one of them. "Lord, how should I respond to this request? Should I give? If so, how much? Should I ask for more information? Is there anything I should do besides give money? (Like maybe volunteer or pray?)"

There are a couple of important truths about non-profits and so-called "para-church ministries." The first is that these non-profit organizations aren't Biblical. Seriously, they're not. The Old Testament model was that everyone bring their tithes and offerings to the temple - which operates a storehouse out of which it works to meet the needs in the community. So the social ills that all these non-profits are trying to address today? God's plan for meeting them is through the church. But the people aren't obedient in giving their tithes and offerings to the church. And some churches aren't obedient to their calling. (They'd rather build palatial facilities than help the poor!)

Secondly, God doesn't want you to give to the vast majority of the organizations that ask you for donations. Really. Pray and ask God ... and don't be surprised when He tells you to grow a spine and learn to say no. "I'm sorry, but all of our giving dollars are spoken for. I have no money to give you." It isn't mean. It isn't unloving. It doesn't mean that you don't care about the poor, the oppressed, the environment, the rescue animals, the diseases, etc. It just means you don't have your Father's permission to put your money there at this time. He has other things He wants you to spend it on or donate it to. And He has other people whom He will call to support this charity --- if indeed it is doing work that pleases Him.

Giving Requests

Q: It seems that we are being attacked by requests for donations to various charities. Honestly, the Girl Scouts are knocking on the door with their cookies. The Cancer Society is calling about clothing donations. Our church is having a canned food drive this week. And we got letters this week from at least five (5) different charities asking for me. I have to confess to feeling more than a bit overwhelmed by it all. Individually, these all seem like worthwhile things to donate money to. Other other hand, we just don't have enough money to make donations to them all. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't satisfy all of these requests. Help!

A: The problem here is clear. You're trying to make decisions based on circumstances. You listen to the people and their circumstance (or that of their particular charity). Then you look at your own circumstance to see whether you agree with their charity's mission and how much discretionary money you have on hand. Then you make the decision to give or not give.

So how should you make the decision? You should take each of the requests and pray over them. Many of us are experiencing "donor fatigue," where we become weary from all the requests. The truth is that there are more legitimate charities whose mission I agree with than I could ever support financially.

You take the matter - each time - and ask the Lord. "Father God, is this a charity that you want me to give money to? If so, how much and when?" You may talk to God about whether or not you agree with the charity's mission, how it pulls at your heart, etc. But ultimately, you just commit yourself to doing whatever it is He tells you. And don't be surprised if God tells you NOT to give to most of them.

Not all supposedly "good cause" charities are worthy of your donation. Some lie about their mission and accomplish little. Other times, they are trying to do something that they're not qualified to do. The thing is, even if they are a legitimate charity ordained by God Himself ... it doesn't mean their financial support has to come from you. Perhaps God has another way of supporting them that He hasn't revealed to you yet. Or perhaps God would like to see them go out of business (for whatever reason).

The point is we pray about everything, especially when it comes to money.