At this time of year, many people give to their favorite charities. But have you ever checked out those charities? Over the years I have learned that some charity organizations pay their CEOs annual salaries anywhere from $500,000 to over $1,000,000 a year. Many charities are routinely investigated for fraud and unaccounted money. I also know that many of you reading this have felt pressured at your jobs to donate to specific charities that you would normally not support.
It seems very deceptive when thousands of earnest people sacrifice to send in $10 and $20 checks, thinking they are helping so many victims, and not realizing that the organization first has to pay the CEO millions in big administrative salaries before even one penny goes to actually help the people who are in need.
I believe God wants us to be wise stewards of our money. So, if we see hypocrisy, shouldn't we warn others, like the watchman on the wall? Checking out a charity prior to donating should be a must for Christians. You may be supporting a group that you really do not want to support. Remember Proverbs 3:13 tells us: How blessed is the man who . . . gains understanding.
Let me give you just one example:, the Susan G. Komen Bowl for the Cure, the breast cancer "pink" campaign seen in the pro football games in October each year, openly sends hundreds of thousands of dollars that they collected for breast cancer—to Planned Parenthood. Is that where you would want your donation dollars to be invested? It might be beneficial to you in your decision making if you check out the research that shows that there is a link from both birth control pills and abortions to breast cancer. Most Christians would never send money for breast cancer research if they knew any portion of their donation was going to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the U.S.
But many people do not do their homework and without realizing it, they are donating to groups like Planned Parenthood.
Regarding work, remember if you give to a charity you disagree with, in order to keep your job, you are saying that this life more important to you than the next. It would be better to be broke and trust God than to have money and trusting anything else.
. . . I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.
—Psalm 37:2
Now to be clear, just because a CEO is paid $500,000 per year does not mean that you shouldn't give to the charity. They may be worth that salary for managing a large organization, but at a minimum it is something that you should be aware of as you consider your donations.
Remember, since everything we have is from GOD, we should think of our resources - including our income - as God's resources. This tells me that any charitable contributions should go to those who reflect Biblical values and are best managing their revenue for their stated purpose and mission. Here are five things to evaluate whenever you are considering support an organization:
Be alert, keep you eyes and ears focused on all these organizations and be sure that they use Biblical principles for giving. There are plenty of good resources out there like ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) or even your favorite search engine, which you can use in your research. Be wise in all that you do!
It seems very deceptive when thousands of earnest people sacrifice to send in $10 and $20 checks, thinking they are helping so many victims, and not realizing that the organization first has to pay the CEO millions in big administrative salaries before even one penny goes to actually help the people who are in need.
I believe God wants us to be wise stewards of our money. So, if we see hypocrisy, shouldn't we warn others, like the watchman on the wall? Checking out a charity prior to donating should be a must for Christians. You may be supporting a group that you really do not want to support. Remember Proverbs 3:13 tells us: How blessed is the man who . . . gains understanding.
Let me give you just one example:, the Susan G. Komen Bowl for the Cure, the breast cancer "pink" campaign seen in the pro football games in October each year, openly sends hundreds of thousands of dollars that they collected for breast cancer—to Planned Parenthood. Is that where you would want your donation dollars to be invested? It might be beneficial to you in your decision making if you check out the research that shows that there is a link from both birth control pills and abortions to breast cancer. Most Christians would never send money for breast cancer research if they knew any portion of their donation was going to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the U.S.
But many people do not do their homework and without realizing it, they are donating to groups like Planned Parenthood.
Regarding work, remember if you give to a charity you disagree with, in order to keep your job, you are saying that this life more important to you than the next. It would be better to be broke and trust God than to have money and trusting anything else.
. . . I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.
—Psalm 37:2
Now to be clear, just because a CEO is paid $500,000 per year does not mean that you shouldn't give to the charity. They may be worth that salary for managing a large organization, but at a minimum it is something that you should be aware of as you consider your donations.
Remember, since everything we have is from GOD, we should think of our resources - including our income - as God's resources. This tells me that any charitable contributions should go to those who reflect Biblical values and are best managing their revenue for their stated purpose and mission. Here are five things to evaluate whenever you are considering support an organization:
- Does the ministry or organization adhere to sound Biblical doctrine? Galatians 1:9
- Is Jesus Christ the main focus in the ministry's work? Colossians 3:17
- Does the ministry employ good financial practices? Luke 16:12
- Does the ministry depend on God's people for support? 3 John 1:6-7
- Is God using the ministry to change lives? Galatians 5:22-23
Be alert, keep you eyes and ears focused on all these organizations and be sure that they use Biblical principles for giving. There are plenty of good resources out there like ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) or even your favorite search engine, which you can use in your research. Be wise in all that you do!
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