Is The Money We Are Generously Giving Causing More Harm Than Good? We see the needs. We hear the cries. We listen to the emotional appeals to sacrifice and to be generous with all we have. So we give. But we give without knowledge. We give without understanding and viable relationships. In our ignorance, the very gift we have given to help so often destroy. The inequities created by our gift divide entire communities. Jealousy and fights ensue. We create beggars. Good men are corrupted. Tragically, such stories are not the exception but the rule. Is this “Generosity”? Our guilt is appeased but great harm is done. That is what this book is about. It is a tour of our own culture and the many ways our money destroys those it was intended to benefit. It also shows us how we — churches, foundations and individuals — can apply timeless principles so we can know our stewardship of God’s resources is accomplishing God’s purposes both in our lives and in the lives of those who will die if we don’t learn to give wisely.
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About the Author
He has taught English and English Literature for 15 years. Jonathan and his family live near Portland Oregon.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must read for engaging developing countries,
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This review is from: Giving Wisely: Killing with Kindness or Empowering Lasting Transformation? (Paperback)
Jonathan Martin, through multiple examples and stories, walks us through the maze of giving money overseas. We are to be generous but also wise in our giving. It's easy enough to write a check but what if we understood that doing so could bring ruin to the life of the recipient rather than anticipated fruitfulness. Jonathan outlines four financial principles for generous and wise giving:1. Relationship first--never lead with money 2. Accountability--never give to an individual pastor or indigenous missionary. Give to organizations that provide oversight and accountability. Good people are ruined by easy access to money, no matter how good intentioned they are. 3. Indigenous Sustainability: "Ask yourself: Will the project I give to require ongoing and continual foreign funds to keep it alive, or are these funds seeding a plant that can be eventually watered and grown by locals?" 4. Equity--"The financial gift should not create economic inequities in the place it is given." We may think, "This pastor shouldn't have to live in this shack...let's build him a house." That may be the right thing but know this, his congregation will never learn to financially support that pastor. Why should they? In this new era of missions we need to re-think finances. This book is a great help in navigating the journey.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not all compassionate efforts are created equal...,
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This review is from: Giving Wisely: Killing with Kindness or Empowering Lasting Transformation? (Paperback)
What happens when we give with our hearts, but not with our minds? Martin beautifully and provocatively encourages Christians to closely examine our compassionate endeavors. Are we "killing with kindness" or "empowering lasting transformation"?I wish everyone could read the first chapter of this book...as the stories he shares are an incredibly powerful and compelling encouragement. Would we ever have the courage to tell our church or local ministry that sending clothing to an orphanage might not be the best way to help? How could someone have the audacity to challenge the good intentions and generous hearts of God's people? In the first chapter, Martin shares a heart-wrenching story of misguided compassion. In 2007, an American Christian church sent truckloads of nice clothing to a Mexican orphanage. The older teen orphan boys accepted the clothing with smiles on their faces. After the church left, the boys sold the clothing in the local market. What did they do with the money? "The boys were able to purchase prostitutes thanks to the generosity of the American churches." While perhaps an extreme example, it sets the stage beautifully for this book. A convicting and timely book!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must read for mission gving,
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This review is from: Giving Wisely: Killing with Kindness or Empowering Lasting Transformation? (Paperback)
This book gives a great insight into how our mission dollars impact third world countries and how to best give your resources. How much of your money actually gets to the project? As good stewarts we need to know this information and so much more.
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