Charity Question

I try to hold onto "innocent until proven guilty".
(Curtail "knee-jerk" reactions or decisions.)

Has the investigation concluded yet?
If so, what were the findings?

Take some time...
One should carefully research and pray
about what charity to support.

its not selfish, its better than making a commitment you don't think you can keep.
I think I had a similar dilemma a few years ago.
Get involved with your local church and help others in your community ministry. You don't always need help by giving money. Hands on help, and time is much needed, as well as prayer.

Fortran said:

I realize I could simply cancel these commitments and make an identical financial commitment to another organization, but I am a bit uncertain about this as well. If I am honest, I would give to the people and causes close to home, or as one time donations to meet a specific need rather than on a monthly basis. However, I realize this is rather selfish, having more to do about what makes me 'feel good' than pleasing God.

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Maybe the uncertainty comes from not having accountability from anything that is beyond your reach. If it's not this particular charity, it could be the next one who is on the take. It takes a lot of money and organizational overhead to put out slick mailers and web sites. Multiple layers of corporate structure can be problematic.

I'm not clear on what you feel is 'feel good' and selfish. There is giving with right motivation, and there is giving wisely. Ideally the two will converge.

Giving close to home or on a one-time basis requires more personal involvement and provides more accountability. It seems hard to beat that combination, but it takes more effort.

I find most charities misuse money. Even christian ones. Heck many "missionary" places like YWAM are just out to make money. Our one friend is part of YWAM. She went to a VERY poor country. But YWAM says in order to go and to stay they require $2000 a month. Which makes no sense since you can live a month in the country the missionary is at for about $250 at most (housing, food, transportation...etc). Even if you need medical attention its not alot. My injury overseas cost me about $150. The same thing here would have been at least 5 digits. Granted the healthcare overseas is not always great.

So YWAM pockets most of the money for their own pay and staff pay. Which is why I support missionaries who don't use an organization and actually live like missionaries used to live... from day to day on very little. Reminds me alot of the bible when the apostles would travel around. Ok my rant is over now lol. Another part of me realizes those that misuse money given for a reason answer to God in the end.


---edit---
YWAM was not correct, I meant Action International Ministries.

only God knows for sure; follow peace, not headlines (bad or good)

Col 3:14-15 KJV
(14) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
(15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

2Co 9:7 KJV
(7) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Fortran said:

Greetings all:

As some of you may have heard, a large Christian charity is now the subject of a legal proceeding that claims it misused it funds. This is the charity I have almost certainly donated the most to throughout the years, and one I currently have several sponsorships/monthly commitments with. I fully realize that this claim does not necessarily mean the organization or its founder is guilty, but after going over the claims of the plaintiff, I have to say - they appear to raise some valid concerns. Part of me feels like cancelling my financial commitments to the organization.

However, admittedly, I am also in a bit of a financial dilemma at the moment, so I am afraid I might just be using this as an "easy way out," so to speak. I realize I could simply cancel these commitments and make an identical financial commitment to another organization, but I am a bit uncertain about this as well. If I am honest, I would give to the people and causes close to home, or as one time donations to meet a specific need rather than on a monthly basis. However, I realize this is rather selfish, having more to do about what makes me 'feel good' than pleasing God.

Any thoughts or guidance on the issue would be sincerely appreciated it.

Thanks,
Kelly

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Large organizations have the problem of becoming too large to manage effectively/efficiently. This problem is seen a lot when businesses become too big at some point and then deteriorate from what they once were. If you have done your diligence in this charity and have found some valid concerns, I think it is wise for you to withdraw your support, especially if you should have financial concerns of your own. Would it be possible for you to check into some local charities such as your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen? These organizations at least in my experience have a visible needs and visible outreach programs that you can actually see the result of what is put into them.

I'm afraid you won't be able to get an organization that is entirely free of corruption/misuse of funds; it just seems to logically follow that the smaller the organization, the less there is of it as there are less hands in the pot so the speak. Another avenue of approach might be to ask your pastor if he knows of anyone in the community or in the church even who might need some assistance. He may be able to point you the right direction.

Also, I don't understand how giving to others close to home or making one time donations to meet a specific need can be seen as selfish; the Lord may put others into our lives so that we can help them when they are in need. We can be fulfilling our roles as stewards of God's property when we give to those around us who have less than we do. I guess if the sole motivation is so that we feel good, that is the only way I can see it as being selfish (still, I'm sure the one that's being helped appreciates it whether you feel selfish or not!) Nevertheless, I don't see how it can be seen as selfish if the motivation comes from serving God by being a good steward.