Some time ago in another context I stated "Western
Christianity spends more money on conferences about mission than
actually doing mission" and of course that statement was challenged as
it should be. Question everything! A google search will yield several
variations of that theme but just think about it for a moment. In my
experience of several streams of charismatic christianity and probably
yours as well, it is pretty clear that the monies spent on conferences
went well beyond monies invested in mission. If you add in leader's
retreats and training events (often at very nice/expensive locations!)
we spend a lot more money on ourselves than we do on mission. A short
exercise? Ask who is the primary beneficiary of the conference.
"If
you want to know who the true christians are ask the poor, the
imprisoned and oppressed. They will tell you." Gandhi. Variations of
that quote make the rounds on Face Book and Twitter. The world is
watching. Their eyes follow the money. They want to know where our
hearts are. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart
be also."
Yes, in some circles, charity has
become big business. None other than Franklin Graham was publicly outed
as taking $500,000 salary for his leadership of Samaritan's Purse
(which does excellent work) and also taking $500,000 for leading The
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. When confronted with this he
dropped the salary from Billy Graham.
Because
of the continuing abuse of charity and ministry for self gratifying
conferences, excessive salaries (even for the good guys) and
administrative fees (did you know that the law in some western countries
stipulates that to retain its status as a charity, the charity must
contribute only 10% or sometimes even less to the cause? Yes, over 90%
of the funds raised can be consumed in salaries and expenses.) we made a
decision in 2011 to decline salary from Harvest Now and to supply our
own living expenses. We wanted to be able to give away all funds that
we receive and have done that for all of 2012 and will continue to do
so.
This past month your gifts helped drill a
bore well in India so that village ladies can do something beyond
walking 4 kilometres for water, supplied housing and food for women at
risk in Tajikistan, put the go in the gospel for apostolic travel in
Philippines, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan & Bulgaria. You helped a
brother in Armenia and our team leader in Tajikistan with life saving
medical procedures. Your partnership in prayer and giving enabled
Sergey to risk a fight with their pimps to pull two more girls out of
sexual slavery in Dushanbe. Your gifts and prayers were part of
baptisms in Kazakhstan.
Tired of all the talk, the meetings, the conferences?
Do something!
Steve
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