Message #2738

[AndyHB]

Is there not a risk, however small or great, that monies will not go to the most desperate situations, but rather to where there is evangelistic opportunity? Would Jesus have been so discriminating?

I suppose it would depend on which evangelical agency it went to.  If, for instance, it went to Tear Fund (aka The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund) I would have no qualms, because it is very much a disaster and development agency - on a par with groups such as Save the Children and Water Aid.

Contrary to Flower's suggestion few, if any, of the Christian and/or evangelical AID agencies that exist send Bibles.  That is, quite rightly, left to groups for whom that is one of their stated aims, such as the Bible Society and its 'Bible a Month' programme.

If a person or a church wants to give money towards Bibles, the channels to do so are very clear cut: if they wish to give to famine/flood relief and the on-going development of the countries so hit, the channels are equally clear cut.

I remember when my late 'born again' father in law was asked to give a donation to the starving in Africa, he said he would give money for Bibles, but not for food as they needed the bread of the 'word' more! The sanctimonious idiot! 

We have given a reasonable donation to the charity set up to deal with this latest emergency.

Not sure that I'd call my father a git, Flower, but I'd agree with the rest of the sentiment.  I'd even have to question his being 'born again', as even Jesus made it very clear that physical and spiritual healing and feeding goes hand in hand!!

It would be worth your checking on the list of agencies that receive money from the 'charity set up to deal with this latest emergency - by which I assume you mean the Disasters Emergency Committee.  There are at least 2 evangelical agencies amongst the 14 members.