How do you think God looks at people who are always looking something for free?
Do you think it is right to take advantage of a charity?
Some people just want a hand out. Is it right to take from a ministry, knowing that it cost them, without giving them anything, when you have the means to do so?
It's called stealing.
Krispy
Hmmm?
I wonder how many mp3 files you have downloaded from this site?
I have made all of my revival and holiness cd files free of charge for years and do not take any form of payment or even donations.
Was that question for me?
The original question was "taking advantage" of a ministry. Such as a church that has a warehouse and gives away food to needy families... and some families take food from them when they can afford to pay for it.
Here at SI the sermons are offered for free. We all have the opportunity to financially support this site however God leads us to. Some folks God leads to give, and some folks He doesn't. I will not judge what someone else gives or doesn't give... thats not any of my business.
My comment about stealing was not in context of this site. It was in context of ministries to the poor who are taken advantage of by those who are not "poor". Thats how I understood the question.
Krispy
Thanks for replying Bro. Krispy, I think the questions are for all of us.
These questions are just something I have thought about to consider. I have notice over the years some people are very generous and give to the church and to certain needs. I have also noticed that some just want to free load off of others.
I think we all should have a spirit to bless one another with out charge because the gospel was freely given and we should have that kind of spirit.
I know most godly ministries want to bless people because that is the purpose of their ministry but I also realize that they need finances to be efficient.
There are a lot of blessings free on the Internet as well as we need to watch out for deception. I also think we need a spirit of generosity to help support ministries that bless us. For example if a ministry has blessed us then we should want to bless them.
I also don’t think it is wrong for a ministry to charge for CD’s, materials, and for mailing. There are ministries that tell people that if they don’t have the money then they will send it to them anyway. This can also be taken advantage of…each person needs to consider the cost.
I think we all could agree that the gospel is free… but not cheap… there is a cost involved… because of the sacrificed Jesus made, and also the sacrifices that his servants are also making.
Personally for me, other ministries have blessed me, and if I order any materials from any ministry, then I feel like that is an extra cost to them and I should not be a burden to their ministry by trying to take advantage of their generosity.
Maybe I’m writing this… to just give us all something to think about. I noticed a while back there was a laptop that was needed by SI and donations were being accepted. I must admit I watch that thing for a little while just to see how many on SI would give something. Myself, kind of new to SI didn’t really see anything wrong with making this need know. I was guilty in letting this slip by… in watching what others would do that has said SI has blessed them.
I pray for wisdom from God on how to enjoy His blessings and also how to be a blessing. There is one thing I am going to do by God’s grace … that is to find the post about the laptop … make a donation and also bump it back up.
I went to the laptop thread and there is no reply button. Does anyone know if this need has already been met.
Thanks!
It would also like to let it be know that brother Greg has made it clear that he does not want to burden anyone about money.
In my original post I was not thinking about SI...I just got convicted as I was writing a reply.
I didnt take it personally at all... I just dont view SI as a "charity", which to me seemed to be what the question was about. This is a ministry, not a charity.
Krispy
This discussion is locked.
