eFax of Life from CBMC Heartland
A Weekly Inspirational Thought from Ken Korkow
What to Give to?
She called last night. “Hi Ken. Is this a good time to talk?” First – she asked for “$1,000 to $1,500”. I said “No”. Then she asked for “between $200 and $300”. Again – I said “No”. Finally – she asked “What about $20 to $30?” Again – I said “No”.
Please allow me to tell you why I said “No” and then explain the criterion necessary before I say “Yes”. Not that you will necessarily use my principles but since you face this same issue – it is worthwhile to predetermine your own standard.
The lady caller is from my undergraduate alma mater. She was making a fund-raising call. And while I was cordial – I knew from the start what she wanted and how I was going to respond.
No doubt like your mailbox – ours yesterday had at least five requests from various organizations – each with a valid appeal for a worthwhile cause. And each had a ‘bounce-back’ envelope inside.
To begin with – Liz and I are not selfish. We give 10%+ - from our gross income. One year (back when I was self-employed) my accountant asked: “Ken – this year you have over a $40,000 charitable contribution carry forward. Why do you give so much?” To which I replied, “I shovel it out. God shovels it in. And He has a bigger shovel!” See, I’d actually found Malachi 3:10 to be true:
’Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’
Because I know everything I have (including ‘life’ itself) is a gift from God – I recognize I’m not the ultimate ‘owner’ of anything. I’m merely a steward. And God uses money and ‘things’ as a barometer to measure the spirituality of my stewardship: “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” 1 John 3:17
The question is not ‘How much of my money do I give to God?’ – but rather – ‘How much of God’s money do I spend on myself?’
Recognizing this – Liz and I made a decision long ago to invest God’s money where it would have an eternal impact.
Yes – education is important – but it has been over 30 years since man has walked on the moon and our record of morality and how we treat our fellow man simply hasn’t improved.
Yes – food to starving people is important – but what good does it do for kids to grow up with full bellies – and go to an eternal hell?
After years of study and experience – here’s what we have found:
A. How much? 10%+ from gross income.
B. When? Off the top – without regard to ‘tax deductibility’.
C. Where? First to our local church. (But, if your church doesn’t present Jesus as Savior and Lord and you don’t see lives being changed – then you need to find a different church.)
D. Where next? We give to people and organizations involved with evangelism and discipleship that have ministered to us.
E. Then where? We give to organizations that meet human needs – as a means to building relational bridges so they can effectively share Christ.
While the ‘Fax of Life’ comes out weekly, we at CBMC are daily involved with Bible studies, prayer groups, outreach luncheons, prayer breakfasts, providing materials and counseling, leadership development, etc.
To continue this effort,I respectfully request you consider a year-end (tax deductible) contribution (checks should be made out to ‘CBMC’ and sent to our local office: 1065 North 115th St, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68154-4423).
While we share this financial need only one time per year, our business (like yours) has on-going expenses that must be paid.
We don’t do what we do for the money. We are motivated by the sacrifice and example of Christ and the needs evident all around us. And we know when you invest in the CBMC ministry, others are touched, and you are blessed.
“Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.” Phil. 4:17
May you and your loved ones experience peace and joy through this Christmas season!
Ken Korkow, John Reimer, Dan Hazuka, & Dyann Davis
CBMC Heartland, 12/05/02
eFax of Life is an outreach of CBMC Heartland, which is a not-for-profit organization supported by tax-deductible contributions. If you or a friend have been encouraged by these articles and would like to make a contribution, please make your check payable to "CBMC - Heartland" and write in the memo line "eFax of Life support." You can mail your contribution to: Ken Korkow - c/o CBMC Heartland, 1065 North 115th Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154-4423. Contributions are not necessary to continue receiving the Fax.
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