How often to give to para-church ministries?

[evangelist6589]

Do you give often to para church ministries? No need to boast about how much you give as that would be unbiblical but I sure wish people would give more. I regularly give to Grace To You, ligonier, and tract/gospel ministries that have the charge to spread the gospel to all the world. While I disagree with the gospel presentation of Pocket Testament League, I agree 100% with their mission to give out the Gospel of John to everyone and so regularly give them money.

Some ministries try and dice up giving by giving out free books and DVD's, but I find this to be a problem for a book person like me, so I have found it better giving to places that do not do this. What about you? There are also ministries I would not give to, because their gospel presentation and doctrine is Shallow. Greg Laurie, Back to the Bible, Charles Swindoll, and others I no longer donate. I'd donate to Mac, Washer, and Sproul instead.

 

[Salty]

If I remember correctly - did you not some time ago complain about your bills and finances?

I think it is great to give to Scripturally sound organizations - (in addition to your church) - but if you are in a bind - maybe you should re-consider your giving and get those bills paid off.

 

[padredurand]

Not one thin dime.

 

[Revmitchell]

None if you are struggling with debt.

 

[preachinjesus]

After we commit our tithe to the local church, I will support some para-church ministries but not many. I prefer seeing ministries coming out of the local church or denominational activities than a para-church.

 

[Zaac]

How often to give to para-church ministries?

As often as the Holy Spirit directs.:thumbsup:

 

[JamesL]

I gave a one-time $25.00 to Tony Evans' ministry about 12 years ago, with a note that it was simply one time because I could not afford to give regularly

I think they spent the whole 25 bucks on postage, sending me requests for more donations. That was the last time I gave any money to any ministry like that

 

[evangelist6589]

If I remember correctly - did you not some time ago complain about your bills and finances?

I think it is great to give to Scripturally sound organizations - (in addition to your church) - but if you are in a bind - maybe you should re-consider your giving and get those bills paid off.

I strive to give at least 10% and I will usually split that up between my church and para church ministries.

 

[evangelist6589]

None if you are struggling with debt.

I had to charge almost $300 to my CC last week due to some car repairs, etc.. I paid that off with this check and made min payments on all my debts. I strive to pay at least 10% to the church and para-church ministries. But I do not believe the tithe is for the NT Church but just free will giving as it was a OT Tax and never carried over to gentiles and those under the New Covenant. Besides in those days many pagan and mystery religions paid 10% to their deity and trying to carry the tithe to the new covenant is wrong.

If not for that repair I would have been able to save some and add a little more to my debt payoff just as long as I keep costs down which I am striving to do. I did however get $50 FREE in 2 Credit Card cash back deals which is what you can earn by using a Credit Card for all costs instead of a debt card and just paying it back after each purchase. Crown Financial says this can be a good thing about Credit Cards just as long as you pay it back.

 

[evangelist6589]

I gave a one-time $25.00 to Tony Evans' ministry about 12 years ago, with a note that it was simply one time because I could not afford to give regularly

I think they spent the whole 25 bucks on postage, sending me requests for more donations. That was the last time I gave any money to any ministry like that

Oh yes that is a drawback as I often get bombed by miniseries asking for donations.

Bye the way I still did not get the books yet so not sure if you mailed them.

 

[JamesL]

Oh yes that is a drawback as I often get bombed by miniseries asking for donations.

Bye the way I still did not get the books yet so not sure if you mailed them.

I'm sorry, John. I had a pretty hectic week and a half or so, and have not mailed them yet. I'll try o get them out today while I'm running some errands.

Did you see where I replied to your question about PMs? I have not received any

 

[evangelist6589]

I'm sorry, John. I had a pretty hectic week and a half or so, and have not mailed them yet. I'll try o get them out today while I'm running some errands.

Did you see where I replied to your question about PMs? I have not received any

Thanks James for letting me know. I have not received any PM's from you. I thank you for sending the the books as a gift. I cannot buy any books at this time unless for a Sunday School class when I teach or for our assigned reading until I finish books of which I completed 3 in the past month going on the 4th one.

 

[JamesL]

Thanks James for letting me know. I have not received any PM's from you. I thank you for sending the the books as a gift. I cannot buy any books at this time unless for a Sunday School class when I teach or for our assigned reading until I finish books of which I completed 3 in the past month going on the 4th one.

No problem with the books. I'd rather see someone get some use out of them rather than just collecting dust or moisture in my basement

I thought you said in a different thread that you sent me a couple of PMs. I could be mistaken, though.

 

[evangelist6589]

No problem with the books. I'd rather see someone get some use out of them rather than just collecting dust or moisture in my basement



I thought you said in a different thread that you sent me a couple of PMs. I could be mistaken, though.

I did but you did not get them. Let me know when you mail them. Bye the way have you been reading the book I sent? The author has a burning passion for evangelism. Regardless of his Arminian disposition he sure has motivated me to reach the lost.

 

[preacher4truth]

Unfortunately I've heard some well known preachers talk about giving away a free book. Some say 'If this is the first time you've contacted us you'll get such and such book with no obligation', and this right from the preachers mouth. I sent off once to a well known preacher for a free book. Never got it, but I'm bombarded with requests for money.

Isn't this called lying?

Yes, in fact it is, and it happens to too many to be just a 'slip through the cracks' or 'an oversight'.

 

[HAMel]

What is a "para-church"?

 

[evangelist6589]

Unfortunately I've heard some well known preachers talk about giving away a free book. Some say 'If this is the first time you've contacted us you'll get such and such book with no obligation', and this right from the preachers mouth. I sent off once to a well known preacher for a free book. Never got it, but I'm bombarded with requests for money.

Isn't this called lying?

Yes, in fact it is, and it happens to too many to be just a 'slip through the cracks' or 'an oversight'.

Get on the mailing lists of Grace to You and Ligioner with RC Sproul. They give out books all the time.

 

[Salty]

...and made min payments on all my debts. ...

That appears to be your problem.
When you receive your bill - take a good look- there is usually a section showing how long it takes to pay off a bill with the minimum amount due.

By paying an extra $30 a month (@ 20% APR) you are saving at least $6 per annum in interest per payment. So 12 payments of $30 above your minimum you are saving $72 interest in a year.

I trust you are making the biggest payments to accounts with the highest APR.

...I strive to pay at least 10% to the church and para-church ministries..

You do not "pay" as it is not a required bill - you did put it better in your next paragraph - "free-will giving"

But I do not believe the tithe is for the NT Church but just free will giving

Interesting point - but separate subject:
New thread

 

[evangelist6589]

That appears to be your problem.
When you receive your bill - take a good look- there is usually a section showing how long it takes to pay off a bill with the minimum amount due.

By paying an extra $30 a month (@ 20% APR) you are saving at least $6 per annum in interest per payment. So 12 payments of $30 above your minimum you are saving $72 interest in a year.

I trust you are making the biggest payments to accounts with the highest APR.



You do not "pay" as it is not a required bill - you did put it better in your next paragraph - "free-will giving"



Interesting point - but separate subject:
New thread

I would pay more of I had the income. But you know I only get 40 hours, have car repairs and other bills and only make $14/hr in Denver CO so I am not exactly rich.

But small debts I pay off fast as I had almost $300 in new CC debt which I paid off in one check. What I can pay I do which shows my heart is right.

Brothers at the Calvinist church told me my heart is right and to be faithful to what I can pay. However they did not promise me I would be able to pay off my debts in this life for I may not.

 

[Salty]

...Brothers at the Calvinist church told me my heart is right and to be faithful to what I can pay. However they did not promise me I would be able to pay off my debts in this life for I may not.

What does Calvinist have to do with it.
As I recommended in the other thread - pay your bills first.

Salty

Ps - wish I made $14 an hour