We recently received some information that one of the ministries that we have been sending financial aid to for several years now may have been seriously misusing those funds. And not just ours, for this organization, according to the documentations that have been revealed to me, has an annual income, or intake of money, numbering in the tens of millions of dollars.
Many of those who have sat on the board of this organization for many years have been either forcibly removed, or quit, in part because of the blatant misappropriation of funds, and seemingly, an authoritative figurehead who seems to be drawing all power to himself.
Needless to say, my beautiful wife and I feel betrayed, angry and hurt, to say the least.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)
The temptations that assail each of us my friends are fallen into by many, and this verse may be, in my own opinion, one of the main reasons why.
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1st Tim. 6:10)
Wealth, in a monetary sense, is relative, the poor man finds pleasure in little when he is used to nothing, the rich man can only seek for more, for it is a thirst that is rarely, if ever, satisfied.
Once an organization is classified as religious in the nation I live in, its financial statement is not overly regulated or checked by governmental authorities, it is, for all purposes, accountable only to those who give of their finances to it. And the opportunities for graft and illicit gain can be very enticing.
If a company is not offering any form of materialistic renumeration to those who give to it, then, sadly, it is necessary to tug at the heartstrings, so to speak, of those who they are seeking funds from. And, to use an all-encompassing word here, religious people have hearts that want to give, want to help.
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” (Luke 6:35)
This did not happen overnight, so in some way, I feel responsible. Continuous diligent research should have been done by me, but I thank the Lord for revealing these things to me in His time. We will seek no retribution, in my mind it comes too close to that word vengeance, and so, in all reality, the best I feel that I can do at this point is to caution those of you that the Holy Spirit has led to read this letter.
Do the research, check back with the places that you believe you have been led to send your finances to. Search every possible internet site that speaks of that organization and pray to be able to discern the truth about them.
Here is a perfect example of Spiritual discernment from one who failed in this regard to do just that. It makes me wonder just what Demas was so enticed by.
We have left this experience, and the organization mentioned, in the Lord’s hands, it is His to deal with, because it is in His name that this has been done. This verse may apply to those there that are in full knowledge of what they are doing.
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb. 10:31)
I pray they will hear, for if they do not, their rewards will only be found in this life.
There are a lot of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are hurting out there my friends, who have needs great and small. If you can afford it, no matter the amount, help them. But do diligent research first.
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matt. 7:15)
