Are you looking for a way to help the needy? If not, you should be. In Paul’s letter concerning the Macedonian churches (see Corinthians 8: 1-3), he praises believers for giving as much as they were able, and beyond. Imagine that kind of faith in today’s world; people giving not just what they can afford, but actually going beyond that. Can most of us even relate to that type of giving? Don’t answer that. I’m not here to lay a guilt trip on you. And I know I don’t give more than I can!
But I am here to tell you about a way you can help those in need without defaulting on your mortgage, a way that will touch the soul of another human being in such a way that he or she will offer thanks to the Lord, on a daily basis, for your generosity! I know it sounds too good to be true, and I was oh so skeptical myself. Trust me on this, you don’t have to put yourself into bankruptcy to drastically change another person’s life.
Four years ago, I discovered an organization that manages to connect people of faith from around the world in the most amazing way. Compassion International is an organization dedicated to rescuing children around the world from poverty. But Compassion doesn’t just offer financial help to children across the globe. They also bring spiritual, social, and physical aid to young people in need.
Rev. Everett Swanson founded Compassion back in 1952 as a way to bring Korean War orphans the necessities of life: food, shelter, education, health care, and the teachings of the Gospel. Compassion International is currently more than 600,000 children around the globe live a more productive and spirit-filled life. And you can be a part of this huge ministry of giving.
Skeptical? Wondering if your money will really end up where it is supposed to go? So was I. But after talking with people who already sponsored children through Compassion, after seeing the videos of Contemporary Christian Music Artists (some that I have met and chatted with) visiting the children whose lives have been changed, I decided to commit to sponsoring a child in Mexico. It has been an amazing experience just reading the letters from Eli. He is ten years old now, and has written more than thirty letters thanking me for my support. His letters all begin with “Dear Godfather”. I sure hope he’s not talking about the movie!
For just thirty-two dollars a month I have managed to provide hope for a child that may have otherwise believed this world was just a giant spinning marble, void of any real meaning or order. Thirty-two dollars a month has indeed changed a child’s life. And I get to keep my house.
I urge you to take a look at Compassion International. If it’s not what you’re looking for, fine. But if you decide to sponsor a child, let me warn you, the compassion might come back twofold.
You can learn more about Compassion International at www.compassion.com
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