The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
Sow a seed…
Give a donation…
Drop a free-will offering…
These seem to be the only phrases I hear echoing on every program broadcast, on every Christian television network or organization. They always seem to be desperately in need of financial help. To make matters worse, they always beg for monetary support in such a way that makes you out to be a bad person if you don’t comply. They often play on our conscience and make us feel guilty for not donating funds.
There are numerous times I’ve been overwhelmingly blessed by a spiritual broadcasting… only to have my spirit dampened at the end with the request for money. It’s as if I’m paying for a blessing. And I just don’t want to feel like I’m buying Jesus’ love and attention. They have managed to take almost every biblical concept and put a financial spin on them—which ultimately leads to soliciting money. I have rarely seen a religious program, from start to finish, without any request for financial assistance. If there are any such programs, they’re usually cartoons and other kid’s shows.
What’s so disheartening, is hearing the amount that they’re “telling” us to give. Some will ask us to give what we have, or as the Lord leads. But the majority takes the extra step of telling us how much money to give, and it’s no small change. They want us to give a hundred… two hundred… five hundred… or even a thousand. Additionally, the foundations using postage ensure that they’re sending envelopes and address labels, all to make it easier for us to give. I know, I got my very own sheet of mailing-label stickers in the mail.
“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
I understand soliciting is a natural, necessary part of privately owned, charity, or nonprofit organizations. It’s a fact that they are going to need financial support to keep their mission going. But I think most of these television networks and organizations are overdoing it. They are leaving a nasty taste in the mouths of viewers and future supporters with their constant request for financial assistance. They rarely ask for our support via prayers. And they hardly ever ask for our physical support, such as finding a nearby branch to volunteer our time and services. So, it makes it easier to think that they’re all about the money.
“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
How do you know who’s genuine or not? How do you know when what they are asking for is too much or just enough?
While it is true that it costs a lot of money to run a ministry organization, do missions projects, and pay for air time on the media, it is also true that some(not all) of those asking for money are living a very extravagant lifestyle. Then most of them offer something in exchange, like books or videos. When they mail the book or videos the amount you actually give is greatly diminished by the cost of postage, especially if you give a small amount to begin with. True giving from the heart neither wants nor expects anything in return. They sometimes also use what I could call “religious scare tactics,” often quoting passages like Malachi 3:8-10, which is grossly taken out of context as it pertains to New Testament giving. A very good and important article. Thank you Amelia.
Thank you for commenting John Clark. I agree, there are a few honest organizations out there who put donations to good use. Then there are those who choose to live a flashy life with the money received. For viewers and supporters, it’s hard to tell who is who.
But I do know that some group don’t ask as much as others. I listen to K-Love almost everyday, and I can’t recall hearing them soliciting all day everyday. They use one season out of the entire year to raise funds. While organizations need money to operate, I just don’t believe they have to ask for it everyday… during every program… and in every postage sent.