Author Topic: Giving to disasters appeals  (Read 152 times)

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Offline jerry hatrick

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Giving to disasters appeals
« on: July 16, 2011, 15:09:36 »
I hope we are all able to give at least a little to the latest one.

However, something said at my church got me thinking about how Christian giving should be conducted.

The duty deacon said that donations made via the church would be sent to an evangelical relief organisation.

Now, as it is an evangelical church, I must accept that its ethos as it is. Yet, I have a twinge of discomfort from the deacon's words.

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?

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tranchiebabe

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Re: Giving to disasters appeals
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2011, 15:49:45 »
The evangelical relief mob would probably send Bibles rather than food! P)

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.

Offline AndrewF

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Re: Giving to disasters appeals
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2011, 16:03:55 »
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Offline AndyHB

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Re: Giving to disasters appeals
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2011, 08:38:01 »
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.
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Offline ecuworrier

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Re: Giving to disasters appeals
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2011, 18:04:11 »
nice topic jh good to hear from you again!

i honestly do not know....  you could contact the nominated charity and chat to them...  short of physically going to the area of operation one is always limited to know what they get up to whoever the aid organisations and individuals are... there are so many issues to question... the best one can do is ask GOD... and go with that, even when it feels to be counter current of popular belief and activity...

i do feel that Jesus cares as much for the non christians as the christians... and i like this from Leviticus 19: 33And if a stranger dwells temporarily with you in your land, you shall not suppress and mistreat him.

    34But the stranger who dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you; and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

    35You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity.

    36You shall have accurate and just balances, just weights, just ephah and hin measures. I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

    37You shall observe all My statutes and ordinances and do them. I am the Lord.

not sure if that's the remotest help but hey i post it ...

with such huge sums of money pouring into the problems there is significant risk of corruption to add to opportunities for exploitation of vulnerable individuals and groups.... it has not passed me by that there are concerns that political unrest and warmongering is thought to have at least exascerbated the depth of the crisis.... what constitutes 'aid' under those circumstnces is questionable .... though clearly emergency food water and shelter IS required like pronto like yesterday!....   giving... one gives in faith it is the least we can do at times and it makes us quite prayerful and reflective.. which gives GOD a space somehow somewhere

GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,

who is happy to pray... though reluctant to part with pennies after hearing about corruption in previous disasters
« Last Edit: July 22, 2011, 18:09:38 by ecuworrier »

Offline AndrewF

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Re: Giving to disasters appeals
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2011, 14:27:38 »
What surprised me was the guy from UNICEF pointing out that they are NOT members of the DEC... - WHY EVER NOT???
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