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Follow The Money

It is said that Andrew Carnegie single-handedly changed the face of modern education. With ten million plus dollars to donate, He stated in his letter of gift that institutions that required adhering to a prescribed doctrinal statement or were under religious governance would be excluded from receiving any money.

It is amazing how organizations will rationalize their purposes to be the recipient of large donations. Brown University was the first university to break ties with the Baptist association in order to receive money. Dartmouth University would be the next in line to get their check. Even Oberlin College where Charles Finney served as President for decades would receive the money. Charles Finney was the evangelist of the 2nd Great Awakening that led thousands of converts to Christ.

Financial incentives are a powerful force in allowing Mission Drift to occur.

Consider the “Feed My Starving Children” charitable fund that drifted away from their Christian roots and began to soft-pedal their faith in hopes to gain more donors. With an annual budget of $830,000 and a hand full of staff they knew they were headed in the wrong direction. They acknowledged they had a work that was good, a model that worked, and there was a demand for their service. But in a board meeting they declared they did not have God.

They declared an open dedication service for renewal and recommitment to Christian values a purposes. Within 9 years they went from $830,000 to $35 million.

Money is not everything if it causes you to sacrifice the core of your faith foundations.

Mission True Donors

Mission True organizations need donors who have complete buy-in. God can do amazing things with and through people who link themselves to support important causes. There are five things to say about Mission True donors:

1. Are explicit in their expectations – by creating clear guidelines and a plan for your giving you “memorialize” your values and intent.

2. Plan Ahead – Estate planning and bequests open up important family discussions and intent for family legacy.

3. Keep “Mission Strings” attached – keep missional purposes and intentions in mind and build safe-guards around that giving.

4. Do Your Giving While You’re Living – while you are still alive and in control is the best time to give.

5. Pray and Encourage the Organizations That Are Important

LINKS

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!