The Opportunity of Giving to Missions

Genie: After my interview with Ralph Martin on EWTN’S “The Choices We Face”, I received a lot of positive feedback. I thank Ralph and his crew for a wonderful television experience and pray God’s blessings on that ministry.

One of the most interesting and useful emails that I received came from George Pat McDonald. Here are some of his thoughts.

(Italics, underlining and emphasis are mine.)

George Pat McDonald: “I watched EWTN – ‘The Choices We Face’ – and heard you say that someone told you to stop asking for money. Unfortunately, they do not understand missions or money. I also heard mention of beg letters which I think would be better put as – opportunity letters.

Missions must depend upon donations as missionaries do not and cannot create wealth in material or monetary terms, as that is not the purpose of ministry. Missions teaches the path to inner peace and God’s favor through the indwelling of Christ’s Holy Spirit. Look at all of those He ministered to, with a non-condemning love (agape) for those who simply believed in his powers of deliverance. Praise, worship and thanksgiving are the fuel to run their lives. His indwelling spirit helps believers deal with the pull of fallen human nature and converts the negative to a positive and beneficial life. Christ will do the same for converts. He does not condemn, but he certainly delivers!

Contributing to missions is a part of ministry. Someone has to feed missions the same as a father working to provide shelter, sustenance and a mother to keep a home to clothe, feed and nurture their children. In offering the opportunity to sustain your mission here is an idea you can use.

1. Those blessed with good business sense and ability can plan a portion of profits for missions. Not everyone is gifted for missions in the field but do have the gift of creating and sharing wealth with missions. If 1% to 2% of profits are sent to missions, the better the business ability the more flowing to missions. If everyone were missionaries and none operated businesses, it would become like no vine to grow grapes. Business contributions is a must.

2. Good businesses or many who work for businesses can give up things that detract from healthy living that they are or have been spending money
on in the past; sugared drinks and foods, alcohol, tobacco, candy, sport events, etc etc.

• For example if someone buys 2 cans of snuff a week = $10/wk, 6 pack of beer = $7/wk, soft drinks= $6/wk, 2 bottles of wine = $20/wk, 5 packs of cigarettes = $20/wk. If one gave up only those, that is = $43-$63/wk.
• One only needs to sit and give an amount they may be spending, or have been delivered from, and every person could easily find $40-$50 a week that they will not miss and will make them healthier at the same time.  I keep a can in the house and every time I think of the items I have been delivered from I drop that item amount in the can.(So I am inspired, in this instance I will begin to donate some deliverance monies to your mission on a weekly basis, or at least monthly, depending on the canned amount.)

Mrs. Genie Summers

Genie to George Pat:  “Thank you so much for your input on the understanding of giving to the building of God’s Kingdom, especially to the missions. We of course are especially grateful for any and all donations to our work.

Forty years ago the Lord Jesus rescued Frank and I from a futile, worldly, materialistic, and at times evil way of life. He set our feet upon a rock, put a new song in our mouths, and blanketed us with His salvation. In the beginning, we often used ‘reparation funds’ to do God’s work. We gave up smoking and used the money to build a bathroom for a poor lady we knew, etc. etc. That is such a good idea. We have never preached this idea, though it really warrants being expressed.

We pray for all our benefactors and our prayer warriors. May you be blessed in all your efforts. If ever you want to visit us at our main mission base in Abbeville, Louisiana, just let us know. We’ll work together for the perfect time for a visit.