To Give Freely, Or Wisely?

To freely give is to experience a great joy. To offer your help to someone who needs it, to make a positive impact in someone’s life, to know that you made a real difference – these are genuine blessings.

Yet a contemporary Christian proverb aptly explains, “There are three conversions to Christ: first, of the head; second, of the heart; and third, of the wallet.” Just like you, at World Opportunities, we give our hard-earned money to people and organizations that we trust, and for causes in which we strongly believe.

We expect these stewards to use our money with wisdom, rather than taking advantage of our goodwill, though often we must confess that it can be a challenge to discover the integrity and character of many charitable organizations operating in our country today.

Money and Ministry: Friends or Foes?

Money is not wrongful in itself; it is simply a means to end. The question is, “What is the end?” At World Opportunities, our vision, our highest priority, has remained the same for 44 years now:

“To fulfill our biblical mandate to provide for the physical needs of people and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, bringing hope to the hopeless.”

We use all of our resources to achieve these ends, because we believe them to be noble and godly aspirations.

Scripture records only one time in his earthly ministry when Jesus ever acted out in anger, and that indignation was specifically directed at those who sought to use His church as a means for sordid personal gain. It was with an expressive and holy fury that he knocked over tables at the temple and spoke these words of rebuke:

“Jesus went into the temple and drove out all who bought and sold in the sacred place, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who sold doves, saying to them, the Scripture says, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves!’” –Matthew 21:12-13

Could the Scriptures have given us a stronger warning? The implication here is clear: those who deceive well-intentioned givers here on earth will face the full, fierce wrath of Almighty God on that day. We remember that the final court of authority will be in heaven, where the books will one day be opened, and God will reveal and judge all of our actions.

Therefore, out of a deep reverence for the Lord and his righteousness, we accept each and every financial gift with the most sober respect.

Our goal is to use the resources we are given wisely, and to be as open and honest as possible about how we use what we receive.

If you would like to receive a more detailed summary of our 2004 financial report, please click here, fill out the necessary information, and check the box entitled “I would like to request a copy of your most recent financial report.”

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