Am I Wrong Here? Rant.

[whodunit]

I have an acquaintance on Facebook who announced that God had told him to move to another state to pursue ministry. I have no issues with that whatsoever.

However, he started one of those online fundraising deals to fund the move. This really bothered me since 1) I thought it was tacky and 2) most of his posts revolve around his travels, eating out at restaurants and hobbies like comic books and board games. So, he can spend that kind of money on frivolous things but wants others to fund his God-inspired move?

Now, he has a post asking people to gather someplace specific for a birthday celebration at their (the guests') cost and then they will probably eat out after (I am assuming at their cost again).

It should also be noted, he appears to be working (not in vocational ministry), but the jobs are pretty nominal. He had trained for the ministry years ago but dropped out of college before finishing.

Not the worst thing in the world but it really has been gnawing on me. I am not a perfect Christian by any stretch but this kind of thing makes us look bad in my opinion.

Am I wrong here?

[HTG_zoo]

That would bug me too. Maybe he feels like people would want to help him minister but not help him buy 'things'? I don't know... I"m feeling torn, thinking about having a fund raiser of some sort (selling handmade things) to help fund a specialized walker for my niece. I am kicking in the money I would spend on spoiling her, and some of my spending money but should I put all of my money in before I ask others if they want to contribute too? I don't know the right answer. I figure all you can do is look away if it offends you. Odds are if you are thinking it's not right, others are too so it's doubtful he'll get the funding he's looking for.

[dizzy]

That kind of thing bothers me as well. And I agree, it does give Christians a bad name.

[dixiegal62]

The only people who would use this to judge all Christians are the ones looking to find something to judge them all on. I don't think most people use one or two bad examples to judge a whole group unless they have already judged that group and are looking for someone to point a finger at so they can say, "See! I told you they where all bad." That being said, most folks can either smell a fake from a mile away or they figure it out real quick.

[Becka03]

I am a Christian - and I am by no means perfect- I fall short everytime- LOL- and I judge - and I gossip, drink, smoke- white lies-
that being said- if I thought God told me to make a move- I would clean my act up pretty dang fast- and that would include frivolous spending!!!just saying- it hurts his "street creed"
don't say you need the money to move for a move that God told you to do then post on FB that you ate out here or bought this game or what ever- not cool- I would be irritated by that as well

[fordy]

..................There are numerous TV ministries using the name of GOD to extract as much cash from 'TV' land as possible ! They purchase personal jets , large homes in Colorado , and convert who knows how much of OPM(other people's money) into personal assets that they never worked for !
..................IF , they would ever allow themselves to be interviewed , they are quite sure GOD has approved all , their decisions ! Bless their little hearts ! , fordy

[Harry Chickpea]

He confuses G*d and Mammon.

[1shotwade]

I have so many thoughts after reading this thread! I don't know exactly what to say but feel I should chime in here.
First I guess I should say I am far from the christian I should be but still if God could speak through a donkey he can also use a jackass like me! I have struggled my whole life with being judgmental and have not overcome this yet.It is very hard for me to except others that claim to be Christians and do things that doesn't line up with the word.And everyone understands the word differently.This is because we are to be a part of the body of Christ. The hand can not do the work of the elbow,therefore we are all different to be the part that we are assigned to do.In that we will have different traits than line up with what God needs from us.What I might feel is wrong for me to do ,someone else may not feel it is wrong for them to do and it may not be.It is very hard to not judge each other when God has assigned each of us a different task.This is why we are told to be not a judge for with that measure of which you judge you shall be judged also.What we are told to do is to judge the fruits.If you are truly being guided by the spirit the fruits of your actions will line up with the word of God.
If this person is truly called of God to do this it will happen and the fruits of his efforts will be evident.If on the other hand this is not of God it will not be.If you have prayed about this and it doesn't feel right to you then it isn't.We are not all called to go to the same church or to have the same ministry because we are not all of the same part of the body.Those who are called to support this will feel right about this.If you do not feel right about this then it is not right for you. God NEVER tells someone to do something that can not be done.If he has provided the act he will also provide the way.God speaks to all his children and we need to learn to hear him and obey him.Follow your heart and all will be well.


Wade

[copperkid3]

Should the matter come to the point of discussion with said 'aquaintence',
ask him if he has ever considered George Mueller's ministry with the orphans
of Bristol, England. He never solicted a dime from anyone during the entire
time he cared for them, save G*d alone in prayer and He ALWAYS provided.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M%C3%BCller

[Laura Zone 10]

Originally Posted by whodunit

I have an acquaintance on Facebook who announced that God had told him to move to another state to pursue ministry. I have no issues with that whatsoever.

However, he started one of those online fundraising deals to fund the move. This really bothered me since 1) I thought it was tacky and 2) most of his posts revolve around his travels, eating out at restaurants and hobbies like comic books and board games. So, he can spend that kind of money on frivolous things but wants others to fund his God-inspired move?

Now, he has a post asking people to gather someplace specific for a birthday celebration at their (the guests') cost and then they will probably eat out after (I am assuming at their cost again).

It should also be noted, he appears to be working (not in vocational ministry), but the jobs are pretty nominal. He had trained for the ministry years ago but dropped out of college before finishing.

Not the worst thing in the world but it really has been gnawing on me. I am not a perfect Christian by any stretch but this kind of thing makes us look bad in my opinion.

Am I wrong here?

Nope.
Discernment is God given to tell the 'tares from the wheat".
I would quietly unfriend this person.

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, swims like a duck, but tells everyone it's a water buffalo..........good chances are, it's not a water buffalo.

[whodunit]

I don't doubt his faith and am not making some final judgement, but I just think he is very immature. I knew him in college and he was kind of quirky. It was cute then and he was working with youth, so you kind of expected that, but he is well into his 40s now.

years ago, I felt God wanted me to make an out-of-state move to work in ministry part-time as swell as take another full-time position out of ministry. I funded it myself with what was left of my savings at that time. I am not going to say that I've never had help with my endeavors but I don't ever remember soliciting it.

It's funny that another acquaintance (I call them this since I never saw them after college until Facebook came along) who is a good friend with the first guy is declining to attend so he can watch the Seahawks game. Ouch!

[dkhern]

take the money and throw it up in the air let god take whatever he wants

[poppy]

He's a kook. I grow tired of these people saying "God told me" this or that. It's the reverse of "the devil made me do it" excuse. Christ told His disciples when they went forth to preach not to take a begging bag. God does not send beggars to do His work. If God actually tells a person to do something, he will provide the means when they provide the effort.

[unregistered358967]

Send him this link and then remove him from your page if it bothers you.

http://christiangrants.com/

Done.

[mrsgcpete]

it sounds like its time to "unfriend".

[plowjockey]

Just like every other "religious" entity, what's the bottom line, for those handing over the dough?

Do they feel happier, that they are assisting with "Gods works", maybe just feeling obligated to help, a tax deduction, or what? There has to be something in it for them.

In the end, charity or religious giving is about how it makes you feel.

For sure, money in the collection basket, pays for church heat, new hymnals and to patch the roof, but often where a lot that money goes, is a mystery to most.

People gladly gave Jim Jones everything, because spiritually, he took them exactly where they wanted to go, even if it meant the express lane, into the afterlife.

[HuskyBoris]

he should sign up for Dave Ramseys financial peace,it's a great course and alot of folks use it in their Ministry
http://www.daveramsey.com/home/

I am always skeptical about these types of things,a guy a worked with had a benefit for his daughter,I guess she was sick or something I dunno but anyhoo after his "benefit" he bought a brand new GM crate motor for his hot rod camaro ,he had another benefit later and this one yielded 4 new tires for his mud truck,the first one I donated a little money to but I sure didn't the 2nd time

[joebill]

We regularly give to church and a few other causes that we have checked out and are legitimate, but the only "off the wall" solicitation I ever heard that made me smile and want to contribute came over the radio.

I was making some sales calls in Sedona. AZ, and heard the owner of one of the stores I called on telling the good folks in Sedona that the kids needed a bathroom in the park where they played soccer, and she was in charge of raising the money.

"SO", she said, "We are having a benifit for that cause that we will call a "do it yourself car wash". If you want to contribute, please stop by the local carwash, drop off $10, then go home and wash your own car!"

It was a success and the boys got their bathroom. So very much classier than a mooch on FB......Joe

[willow_girl]

When he hits you up for a donation, tell him that God told you to direct your money elsewhere.

[Zapthycat]

Don't let it bother you. Just don't give him your money. If you give him money, then you can be bothered. Let the people that give be bothered and attend to more pressing things in your life