DOES EVERYBODY REALLY NEED OUR ATTENTION?
Commentary 
Courtesy of Bill Ellis
Syndicated columnist

Have you noticed an increasing amount of mail and phone calls asking
for financial gifts as
we draw closer to
Thanksgiving and
Christmas? These are
the two months when
we are most generous. 

You will also hear from
of all the colleges you
ever attended and
discover for the first
time that you are
among the alumni your
Alma Mater values
most. 

What do we do about
all the calls and
letters? Here are some
ideas that help me to
get through this maze
of special requests for
worthy causes.

1.   I am pleased to
hear from those whose
ministry organizations, educational institutions and missions I am acquainted with and thank them for calling.

2.   If a name sounds familiar and out of my past, I will usually ask if they know my friend by that name. I have often had brief phone conversations with children and grandchildren of my friends. That is always enjoyable. Many of us made such calls when we were students.

3.   I never make a pledge or commitment over the phone. I ask for written information I can read and then make my response. I never give my credit card number, social security number, bank account number or any personal information to any person or organization over the phone.

4.   Because of my acquaintance with individuals who are in leadership positions with a mission or ministry, I have learned through the years whom I can trust and who is a good steward of money gifts. You also have your list of such people. Just to mention a few whom I trust would include Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Jonathan Falwell, Robert H. Schuller, Chuck Colson, Jim Lyon, Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley, Richard G. Lee, Kay Arthur, David Jeremiah, Hayes Wicker, Marshall Lawrence, Glen Megill, Larry Jones and many others.

5.   My list of organizations that you might not connect with a person’s name would include Children of Promise, Prison Fellowship, CBH: Christian’s Broadcasting Hope, Silent Blessings, National Religious Broadcasters, Love Worth Finding, Assist News, InterVarsity, Youth for Christ, Youth With A Missions, World Medical Missions, Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision, Feed the Hungry and numerous others. We also remember all the mission organizations in our own areas often called the Union Mission and The Salvation Army.

6.   If we cannot give, we can certainly pray for these people and organizations.

7.   In your community and city, there are many needs this year. It is our responsibility to join with others in a deliberate effort to make life better for the many people who will need food, clothing, money to pay fuel and medical bills – there will be many things we can do to help.

When I write in this manner, I always remember the words spoken about Jesus who “went about doing good . . . for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). There will be plenty of work for all of us to do and worthy projects needing our financial help.

Kitty and I have already signed up to ring the “Bells of Christmas” for The Salvation Army.  We try to do that every year. Our Rotary Club will help raise money for people in need as will other service clubs. We will also give as we encourage others to give.

Like me, you may not be able to give to all those you believe in, but we will all give as much as we can. Now, why not write down the names of those you would like to give to and will certainly pray for? Some of us are better at praying than giving. A model for giving was a poor widow of whom Jesus said, “She gave all she had” (Mark 12:44).

© 2009 Wm. C. Ellis
All Rights Reserved

Bill Ellis
Award Winning Syndicated Columnist
P. O. Box 345
Scott Depot, WV 25560
Phone: 304-757-6089
www.BillEllis.net