Why do I have to fund your mission trip / VACATION??

JB0704 · Apr 24, 2012

pstrahin said:
Be a good steward of your money that God has belssed you with and support the work of your church.

I don't really have a church....a person can support missions and ministries quite effectively outside of that as well.

That being said, my wife and I have been visiting a local Methodist church a bit lately. I had not even considered how they do missions. Something to think on anyway.......

pstrahin · Apr 24, 2012

JB0704 said:
I don't really have a church....a person can support missions and ministries quite effectively outside of that as well.

That being said, my wife and I have been visiting a local Methodist church a bit lately. I had not even considered how they do missions. Something to think on anyway.......

I do agree, as we are told to go into all of the world and be fishers of men. I feel the we should do our due diligence before we just hand out funds to anybody that asks.

mossyback8874 · Apr 24, 2012

I decided months ago to quit posting in this section but I just have to comment on some of these posts.

First, as has been mentioned by HF, prayer for discernment is the most important part of giving.

Second, it's not our money in question, it's his.

Third, just because we share a country with others, it doesn't make it "our people" or "our own". There is no differentiation between someone in Uganda and someone in Atlanta. To actually feel that way is a form of Idolatry for our country (read about Jonah), same concept.

Lastly, if we give cheerfully and the money is misused, that shouldn't be our concern, we've done what the Lord has led us to do.

JB, I'm also very analytical (BBA in Accounting), and understand the opinions expressed by most, but we can't lose sight of the fact that the God we all worship will tell us what to do and when to do it. It seems like quite a few on this board don't rely on prayer enough for the decisions being made. I honestly struggle with that too sometimes.

JB0704 · Apr 24, 2012

mossyback8874 said:
JB, I'm also very analytical (BBA in Accounting), and understand the opinions expressed by most, but we can't lose sight of the fact that the God we all worship will tell us what to do and when to do it. It seems like quite a few on this board don't rely on prayer enough for the decisions being made. I honestly struggle with that too sometimes.

You may have a point. Good post. My thoughts are that we simply need to spread the resources as far as possible. I have seen some abuse of the good intentions of others in the past. It's a tough situation, really, when judging another's motives.

BTW, we have a similar education. I have an msa from SPSU in Marietta. My undergrad was also in accounting at Liberty.

dawg2 · Apr 24, 2012

mossyback8874 said:
I decided months ago to quit posting in this section but I just have to comment on some of these posts.

First, as has been mentioned by HF, prayer for discernment is the most important part of giving.

Second, it's not our money in question, it's his.

Third, just because we share a country with others, it doesn't make it "our people" or "our own". There is no differentiation between someone in Uganda and someone in Atlanta. To actually feel that way is a form of Idolatry for our country (read about Jonah), same concept.

Lastly, if we give cheerfully and the money is misused, that shouldn't be our concern, we've done what the Lord has led us to do.

JB, I'm also very analytical (BBA in Accounting), and understand the opinions expressed by most, but we can't lose sight of the fact that the God we all worship will tell us what to do and when to do it. It seems like quite a few on this board don't rely on prayer enough for the decisions being made. I honestly struggle with that too sometimes.

...Maybe my prayer led me to discern: not suppporting this particular vactationmissiontrip.

mossyback8874 · Apr 24, 2012

JB0704 said:
You may have a point. Good post. My thoughts are that we simply need to spread the resources as far as possible. I have seen some abuse of the good intentions of others in the past. It's a tough situation, really, when judging another's motives.

BTW, we have a similar education. I have an msa from SPSU in Marietta. My undergrad was also in accounting at Liberty.

I think it's safe to say that we, men and women, have a tendency to pervert anything that could be used for good, whether it be missions, money, or religion in general.

dawg2 · Apr 24, 2012

mossyback8874 said:
I think it's safe to say that we, men and women, have a tendency to pervert anything that could be used for good, whether it be missions, money, or religion in general.

So true...

mossyback8874 · Apr 24, 2012

dawg2 said:
...Maybe my prayer led me to discern: not suppporting this particular vactationmissiontrip.

I wouldn't doubt that at all. My point was sometimes we have to get out of our own way and let God lead us, whether it be to support a mission or not support a mission, adopt a baby or not adopt a baby, and the list goes on. I know I personally haven't felt led yet to go on an oversees mission trip, but if God did lead me to do that then I wouldn't hesitate to try and raise funds for the trip. For that matter, if I asked and someone refused to donate money for the trip, it wouldn't bother me in the least. God finds a way to make things happen and I would feel secure in knowing that if it's his will for me to take such a trip then he will also provide.

JB0704 · Apr 24, 2012

mossyback8874 said:
God finds a way to make things happen and I would feel secure in knowing that if it's his will for me to take such a trip then he will also provide.

There is a reverse way of looking at that as well. If you going prohibits "greater good" from being accomplished, then who is enabling the trip?

We can stamp "God" on anything we do, that does not mean he did it. Prayer, discernment, are all good things. I have a friend on a mission trip in India as we speak. He is doing good things. That does not mean every "mission trip" is "God ordained."

Huntinfool · Apr 24, 2012

So, JB...what's your solution for whether to give money to someone who is requesting help funding mission work?

JB0704 · Apr 24, 2012

Huntinfool said:
So, JB...what's your solution for whether to give money to someone who is requesting help funding mission work?

Prayer, discernment. The folks I support are typically folks I know a good deal about.

For instance, a friends college-age kid may want money to go on a mission trip to Jamaica. I would likely have to say no because my resources are going to other places where I am certain (through prayer and discernment) that they are being used to the greatest good possible.

Huntinfool · Apr 24, 2012

Sounds good to me.

Curious...is it "college age" or "Jamaica" that would cause hesitation? Or is it that you know that person well enough to know why he's going to Jamaica?

mossyback8874 · Apr 24, 2012

JB0704 said:
There is a reverse way of looking at that as well. If you going prohibits "greater good" from being accomplished, then who is enabling the trip?

We can stamp "God" on anything we do, that does not mean he did it. Prayer, discernment, are all good things. I have a friend on a mission trip in India as we speak. He is doing good things. That does not mean every "mission trip" is "God ordained."

Good point, I guess. There is no doubt that some things centered around God aren't "of" God, look no further than a certain preacher based out of Houston that's on tv every night. I guess that's the scary part, trying to discern what his will for us. I'm not about to sit here and say that I'm in tune enough right now to know his will for me, but all we can do is pray for that discernment and resolve in all that we do.

JB0704 · Apr 24, 2012

Huntinfool said:
Curious...is it "college age" or "Jamaica" that would cause hesitation? Or is it that you know that person well enough to know why he's going to Jamaica?

Well, it's a little bit of both. Jamaica is a very needy country, very poor. So, obviously there is good cause for going, but there are TONS of local resources which could be used to send aid and the gospel there. The college age thing would have to do with motivation and results. I know some great college kids, and some phonys (I was one). I would think they could raise money to send more qualified people, or send money to local resources. But, that is a bit judgemental, I am aware.

I guess it is a knee-jerk reaction. Same I would have if my fishing fanatic neighbor all had a "calling" to Alaska during the Salmon season.

Ronnie T · Apr 24, 2012

JB0704 said:
There is a reverse way of looking at that as well. If you going prohibits "greater good" from being accomplished, then who is enabling the trip?

We can stamp "God" on anything we do, that does not mean he did it. Prayer, discernment, are all good things. I have a friend on a mission trip in India as we speak. He is doing good things. That does not mean every "mission trip" is "God ordained."

Paul persecuted the church because God told him to do it.
The problem: It was a lie!
Great thought should be put into every decision we make in life, be it for mission work or how to support my family.
Praying to God and doing what "I" want to do isn't going to always find what's right. Sometimes, we'll make the wrong decision. Get over it! God will.
It takes maturity, and the wisdom to make the right decision (no matter what others might think), and being comfortable in what we/you do.

There is no answer that will suffice in all situations.

gtparts · Apr 25, 2012

Before you judge and criticize the path God may have prepared for others in short-term mission work or those called to partner in that effort with financial support:

It helps to remember that God doesn't always call the qualified, but He always qualifies the called.

Noah knew nothing of building arks. David, a mere shepherd boy, was not experienced in warfare. Moses was the son of Hebrew slaves. Saul did his best to eliminate the followers of Jesus. Rahab was just another prostitute. Mary (Jesus' mom) was just a small town girl.

And Jesus, a homeless country preacher/teacher, with no steady income and just a bunch of fishermen and a tax collector for friends.

As surely as God makes much of little, He also makes little of those who believe they are "all that". He exalts the humble and the least shall be made great. There is great joy in being a servant to the house of the LORD and to His people.

thedeacon · Apr 25, 2012

gtparts said:
Before you judge and criticize the path God may have prepared for others in short-term mission work or those called to partner in that effort with financial support:

It helps to remember that God doesn't always call the qualified, but He always qualifies the called.

Noah knew nothing of building arks. David, a mere shepherd boy, was not experienced in warfare. Moses was the son of Hebrew slaves. Saul did his best to eliminate the followers of Jesus. Rahab was just another prostitute. Mary (Jesus' mom) was just a small town girl.

And Jesus, a homeless country preacher/teacher, with no steady income and just a bunch of fishermen and a tax collector for friends.

As surely as God makes much of little, He also makes little of those who believe they are "all that". He exalts the humble and the least shall be made great. There is great joy in being a servant to the house of the LORD and to His people.

AMEN

I do believe you get it.

across the river · Apr 25, 2012

dawg2 said:
Help me out with this one.

My wife and I get letters occasionally from people we know asking for donations. These people want to go on a mission trip. The ones we have been getting are for destinations in Latin America.

Rub #1: Why do they ask for us to help fund their trip? They aren't asking for money to help the mission, they are asking for money to pay their airfare and expenses to go there.

Example: The latest letter I got asks for donations towards a $1,500 goal. Airfare is $1,200 so I am guessing the remaining amount pays for food/expenses.

Rub #2: They don't speak the language. What benefit do they bring to the table if they can't even talk to the people in their native tongue?

Rub#3: Why don't they fund their own airfare and expenses and use the donations to help with the mission?

I just have an issue with donating towards what I see as a vacation. Before anybody tries to lecture me on Latin America, I am well versed on the area since I have both lived and worked ain Latin America. I have always tried to do something "extra" while there to help out. But I just don't see how a group of Americans who don't know the culture, customs, language, etc. are going to fly down there and make a difference by "being there" on someone else's dime.

Many of the trips to South America are to Honduras. The average wage there for a year is a roughly $1000/year there and the majority of people in the rural areas live in mud huts with dirt floors. There is an organization in Honduras that depends on church groups to come in and help mud walls, lay cement floors, and put up roofs. The groups typically spend a week in a village and that is typically the only "help" the village gets for a year. So you may sit back in your comfy chair here in the u.s. and call it a vacation, but if you actually went on one of the trips and worked for a week, you might see things a little differently. If you have never actually been outside of the U.S. (or for some people Georgia) you don't have a true appreciation for what poor is. Putting up a tin roof our pouring a concrete floor may sound like something we do in our shop out back, but for much of the world a concrete floor in their house is something special. If you don't want to give them money don't give them money, but you might want to actually go on one before you say the people going on them are going on "vacation." Much to the contrary, they are probably doing more manual labor in that week than you will do in a year. When it the last time you hand mixed cement or mudded a wall?

JB0704 · Apr 25, 2012

across the river said:
Many of the trips to South America are to Honduras. The average wage there for a year is a roughly $1000/year there and the majority of people in the rural areas live in mud huts with dirt floors.

How much is the airfare for a round trip to Honduras? Seems to me money stretches far there. Perhaps we could stay home, send the cash, and feed a family for a year.

across the river said:
There is an organization in Honduras that depends on church groups to come in and help mud walls, lay cement floors, and put up roofs.

So, there is a local resource to send money to.

across the river said:
So you may sit back in your comfy chair here in the u.s. and call it a vacation, but if you actually went on one of the trips and worked for a week, you might see things a little differently.

No need to get condescending here. Lot's of folks on this forum have extensive knowledge about these trips. Some of them are, indeed, glorified vacations. Some are worthy causes as well.

across the river said:
If you have never actually been outside of the U.S. (or for some people Georgia) you don't have a true appreciation for what poor is. Putting up a tin roof our pouring a concrete floor may sound like something we do in our shop out back, but for much of the world a concrete floor in their house is something special.

Right, and they can't build more if we didn't spend all that money on airfare?

across the river said:
If you don't want to give them money don't give them money, but you might want to actually go on one before you say the people going on them are going on "vacation." Much to the contrary, they are probably doing more manual labor in that week than you will do in a year.

But, what if you know folks who have gone, and understand, that many of these trips are vacations?

Huntinfool · Apr 26, 2012

How much is the airfare for a round trip to Honduras? Seems to me money stretches far there. Perhaps we could stay home, send the cash, and feed a family for a year.

...and how will the money, alone, bring the gospel to them? Who will disciple them?

I know what you're getting at. But it also sounds very much like a "throw money at the problem" type of solution.

Why do I have to fund your mission trip / VACATION??

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