To me, I cannot help but think on the issue of how to the person on the streets, they’re often not as concerned with many in church on the way giving is done (or the format) as much as whether or not the people churches claim they desire to give to are actually involved in the conversation…..and being given something at all.

Truly, how often is it the case when discussions of giving come up in churches that those in need of funding (i.e. single mothers, homeless/looking for work, disabled, orphans, etc) actually get an opportunity to share their thoughts on how it is they think giving should be made?

I think there can be made a case for how churches may wish to consider going back to what Jesus mentioned when it came to men throwing banquets in their homes (Luke 14:15-23 )—and actually inviting the people in need to come at yo spot rather than giving to an organization/the people never seeing who you are…..hearing your testimony, your word of encouragement/psalm and hymn ( Ephesians 5:18-20 /Colossians 3:15-17 ) and putting a face behind the cash other than Benjamin Franklin.

I’ve given before/like to fund ministries like STOREHOUSE Ministries for the work they do in Food Distribution or Wealthy Agencies who do extensive work with Shelters housing Abused Women/Children in areas around the world that I cannot reach …some with folks in the thousands, so I cannot contact each/every one and feel personal with them. But when I give to ministries in my area that are trustworthy—with the testimonies/seeing the fruit of one’s investment being demonstrated in lives changed–it’s something that causes me to rejoice.

The reality is that each will have to stand accountable to the Lord concerning whether or not they used their resources for HIS GLORY and needs were met. The avenue of how it’s done is not important I(IMHO), provided that it gets the resources get to where they’re to be. I’ve heard people say in differing circles saying “Your giving is worthless because you gave it to someone else to utilize rather than giving it out yourself” …but that is one argument spoken apart from the SCRIPTURES of stewardship and numerous examples—-from Moses (Exodus 35:7 ) to David ( 1 Chronicles 29:2 ) to Hezekiah’s/2 Chronicles 29:35 alongside Josiah/2 Chronicles 34:20 and Nehemiah Nehemiah 7 ) and others……others which people like TC Freeman mentioned earlier (and I do agree with his perspective).

The more intriguing example of giving to others for the sake of distribution:

Acts 4:11

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5:2
With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles‘ feet.) Acts 5

If giving one’s resources to others who could distribute it to others was an issue, this is something I think will have to be addressed. For me, giving resources is like delivering food at a Food Pantry. I remember when I had to work at one for a season due to my Internship for college in Human Services named STOREHOUSE Ministries( http://www.noondayba.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=21988&PID=49164 )…and it was a blast. However, many times was there when food/resources were delivered to us by others expecting that their resources would reach the people we were entrusted to deliever to (and others in far other places they could not reach themselves—much like the Mission Field when one’s giving to support a ministry across the world via investing money in another ministry already doing outreach to them). Logically, did the fact that one’s resources were given to another mean that the gift had LESS MEANING—-much in the same way that a gift is delivered through the mail via the POST OFFICE and it being delivered to another in a far off state doesn’t make the intention behind your giving or the gift itself any less?

Heaven help the Good Samaratan in Luke 10:27–as when he saw a need, he met it personally in aiding the man best as he could….but then chose to DROP THE MAN OFF AT A HOTEL to be taken care of by another better able to do so at the time since there were more resources:

Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36″Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Granted, the Samaritan actually returned to the spot where he left the man at to give back payment. But IMHO, it’d be illogical to conclude that the brother was now condemned for leaving it up to another to do a job he wasn’t able to fufill himself–or thinking that the Lord was more concerned with the means in which the man was helped above simply HELPING THE MAN HOWEVER POSSIBLE….and I think we’re in danger when we focus moreso on the form above the substance of things, as that’s what the Pharisees did in not remembering that the Lord was more concerned with MERCY/JUSTICE than outward matters.

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:7-9/Micah 6

Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:12-14 Matthew 9

If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

Matthew 12:6-8 Matthew 12 (

Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Matthew 23:22-24 Matthew 23

Matthew 25:15

40″The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Romans 13:9

What matters is the HEART/Concern for meeting the needs however possible—and for those with gifts of ADMINISTRATION/Leadership and GIVING/Contributing to the needs of others, Acts 6:1-3 / Acts 6, Romans 12:1 /Romans 12:8/1 Corinthians 12:10 )

When we give directly, we give the Holy Spirit an opprtunity to take the gift further than we ever could have imagined.

If one wants to give to a certain group of people that they don’t have contact with, (out of love) they should do the necessary research to get in contact with them. In fact, they can call the folks at the organization and ask them to share THEIR contact information .

I would agree with you in certain cases but I still believe that it can be helpful depending on the situation and the organizations involved.

While I know that “common wisdom” says that we can do more by pooling our money and letting others decide how best to spend it, I’m not convinced that its true anymore.

-Alan

You must also take in to consideration where the need is. For instance, you know of many poor Christians in different parts of the world. However, you may not have the means for distributing the help to them. This is where an organization such as a church may be of great benefit. For they may have the necessary contacts and means of distribution to make it all possible.

Let me tell you two reasons it is easier.

1. I can claim organizations on my taxes thus lowering my tax liability thus I kill two birds with one stone (I meet needs and I get a tax benefit)

2. Once you get involved with people, they may keep asking and it is much easier to say no to an organization (I just delete the emails or shred the newsletter) but a person I have to say no to directly and that my friend is very difficult unless you are a descendent of the preconverted Scrooge.

Not judging anyone but it has been difficult for my wife and I to move in that direction, it is much easier to cut a check and get ready to receive a statement at year end.

I think Vetta was saying that need was because they had decided to stay there (Jerusalem) after they received the Gospel, not that they were destitute (poor people living in Jerusalem).

And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

-Alan