Apologies for taking so long in responding to the 2nd part of your posting. I'm sure you're chomping at the bit from my 1st part to you. So have at it dear brother!
I support MSF because they are a specialist medical organisation mainly consisting of Doctors and medical staff. They always seem to be first in and last out of any given crisis, especially the most dangerous ones, i also support Amnesty because of their long experience and effective advocacy on behalf of those facing persecution and other Human Rights abuses. There are a couple of other non Christian organisations i support on an irregular basis, again because of their specialist knowledge or focused advocacy. But in the main i am trying to focus my giving on christian based organisations, but even there it can be a problem, a number of years ago i had an altercation with one Christian charity that was paying there Chief Executive over £130,000 a year. A Christian Charity helping and advocating for the poorest, many of whom are barely surviving on less than a couple of $'s a day paying their CEO £130,000 plus, they either couldnt or didnt want to see the hypocrisy of that situation , or of Christs teachings on Wealth and riches.
You definitely need to check on the organization be it religious or secular in nature before contribution to it. Before I retired I used to donate through the State Government in which they had a site where it would check on non-profits and how much they use of it went to the actual program, vs administrative costs. I've seen some that the administrative spending percentage is larger than what they distribute to the actual program they are supposed to be helping! Disgusting, and yet people still give to them.
As you have seen, just because its religious or secular for that matter there is no guarantee that they are doing with the funds donated they profess to be doing. At least to a percentage that is reasonable. Above 70-80% I'd say would be reasonable, but that's me. lol However, that really isn't the point that I'm trying to show you is it?
For many of those facing poverty and deprivation death is an ever present companion, so save the body, do it in the name of Christ as you say and hope and pray that "they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven".
That’s the issue, isn’t it? If they never hear, how will they know whom to praise? They will end up praising the offices of organizations that have said nothing about Jesus instead what they have done for them. The belly is filled, but the spirit remains lost.
The real problem, when dealing with the deprivation of a person’s mind, body, and soul, is the opportunity to present the Gospel. What they do with it is between them and God—just as with the two thieves on the cross. Both heard the same message; only one believed. The other remains between him and God. The end result is that they both still died. Selah
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14)
How will the secular organizations you have donated to know that you are a believer in Jesus Christ, and will they communicate that to those they help? Face to face, your actions might let them see Jesus at work in and through you. Through those organizations they will not. Recipients can just as easily credit the secular group, or any other name like Buddha, Islam, Humanism, instead of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Love you brother! Through Jesus! Again, and Again, and Again, ad infinitum! The Gospel being presented to them, and Jesus in their hearts minds and souls spoken of by their lips as their Savior is what will overcome anything even death!
Amen to that Brother Nick.
That is but another reason I love you as a dear Brother in Christ Jesus!
Fair you well and keep the faith!
With the Love in Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
Note: End of second part of reply. K
