More (Red)icence For (Red)emption

As an ongoing public service Robert and I would like to deal with even more of your concerns regarding your participation in our (Red)emption campaign. Please read on, mentally check off those that apply to you, and then consult our pithy, concise answers.

I don’t know/trust Mike/Robert
Listen, Robert is a well respected Financial Advisor, and Mike is, well… have I mentioned that Robert is a well respected Financial Advisor? Either way, it’s only $10. Take a chance on us.

I don’t share Mike’s religious views
We’re cool with that, but what does that have to do with what’s going on in Africa? Shoot, Stephen Lewis doesn’t share Mike’s religious views, and we’re sending him the money! And have we mentioned Robert is an atheist? And a well respected Financial Advisor? We’re not asking anyone to convert. We’re asking for $10.

I don’t trust Pay Pal
You’re in safe hands there, as they’re the best at what they do. In fact, they’re so careful that some folks have had trouble giving them money! And don’t forget, it’s only $10.

I don’t know who Stephen Lewis is
Well, then you’re definitely new to this blog! Stephen Lewis is currently the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, and an incredibly outspoken advocate. He also runs a foundation, and that’s where we’re going to send your dough. Besides, it’s only $10. (I have a ton of information on Stephen Lewis and his work saved on del.icio.us)

I don't think Stephen Lewis is a Christian
The reply here is strikingly similar to the "Mike" one. What does this have to do with the problems in Africa? But, in true Christian fashion, let us respond with a parable:

"One day a man was walking along through a beautiful country. The scenery was majestic, and it took his breath away. Soon however, he came upon a horrific sight. As he walked out of the trees he saw Stephen Lewis on his stomach, one arm extended over the edge of a cliff. As the man approached, he saw that there was another man over the cliff, and Stephen had a precarious grip of his wrist. It didn’t look good. Stephen turned, looked at the first man, and said in his own unique way, “My friend, could I possibly trouble you to lend some assistance?” Ignoring Stephen, the first man approached the edge, cupped his hands around his mouth, and yelled down to the unfortunate soul located at the end of Stephen’s arm. “My friend, this gentleman you’re hanging on to doesn’t share my religious views, so I can’t help him. Hang on though, because I’m going to find someone who does, and we’ll come back and get you.” With that, the man turned and walked away, confidant that he had done the right thing, and sure that he remained in good standing with his God."

And now it’s your turn. That’s right. If you’ve decided not to participate, we want to hear from you. Tell us why. We’ve even (temporarily) reconfigured the blog so you can leave anonymous comments. So come on… tell us. Please.

Comments

[wilsonian]

That parable... freakin brilliant!

[bobbie]

what a great parable mike - love it!

[george]

Ok Mike, further to my email, I'll bite.

I hope your project here goes great for you and you get tons of money that you can then pass over to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Its great that Stephen Lewis has his Foundation and he's helping out.

I personally would much rather give my money to an organization that reaches out in the name of Christ. An organization that shares the Gospel with the people they are reaching out to. To see those organizations grow makes much more sense to me as a follower of Jesus Christ. You will suggest, no doubt, as you already have in your email, that somehow speaks to my lack of caring about the people that Lewis reaches out to, but you would be wrong.

God uses the sharing of the Gospel to change lives. That includes the sharing of the Gospel using words. Telling people about this awesome God who loves them and extends an ivitation to them to come to know Him through His Son Jesus Christ. As God uses that in the lives of those to whom it is shared, they too can come to have new life in Christ. That then brings them hope and assurance and a knowledge that they are a child of God and will be with Him for all eternity. With that incredible new life that they now have, they in turn desire to be used by God to reach out to more and more people.

You are familiar with Charles Mully so lets use him as an example. There he is in Kenya with his orphange that he started in 1989. He now takes care of almost 1300 kids, many of them have HIV/AIDS. Some of his kids now have been educated through his ministry, have gone on to university and have returned to him to help him in his work. It continues to grow as God uses him and his people to share the Gospel with those young broken children that they rescue from the streets.

My support will go to organizations like Mully's or the Salvation Army who I am coming to have a new respect for as I see first hand what they are doing in the name of Christ in dowtown Toronto.

Got to be honest with you Mike, I read you blog, because I find it interesting. You point of view. I disagree with you on almost everything you say and I guess that's why I find it so interesting and appreciate the dialogue from time to time.

I truly don't understand a follower of Christ being more interested in supporting some Christ rejecting organization, instead of one that would not only seek to help people with their practical needs but much more importantly their spiritual need.

[Mike]

Here's a thought, George:

Do both.

It's $10, for crying out loud.

Do both.

It strikes me as I read your comment that Refusing to support an organization is a different thing than simply choosing to support another. Choosing to support the Army or Mully is a good thing. Actively refusing to support someone else because of who happens to run the place seems a more "un-Christlike" thing to do.

Don't ask me to explain further because I can't.

Thanks for your input.

[sonja]

george ... if you don't recognize Mike's parable, perhaps you'll recognize this one: Luke 10:25-37.

[Mike]

George - I apologize.

I asked people to share with us their reasons for not participating, and you should have been able to do that without a rebuttal. So, thanks.

Anyone else want to share why their passing? (I promise not to jump on you...)

[george]

I sent you the 10 dollars Mike. I don't know much about his Foundation but hopefully it's a good thing and all the money you end up sending will be used wisely.

Question for you. You said in an email that when Lewis reaches out to the least of these he is being Jesus. How do you figure that?
(I'll catch your answer tomorrow)

[Mike]

I'll tell you what, George. I've got a bunch of answers for that one, but I'm not sure you'll like any of them.

Here's what I'm going to do. I've a VHS tape of Stephen speaking at a World Vision dinner I was at a few years ago in Winnipeg. I'm having it transferred to a DVD for a friend (don't tell anyone...) so I'll make one for you too. Watch him speak, and then ask me again if you're still not sure. And thanks for the $10... way to go.

OK... Now, will someone else please tell us why they don't want to donate? Please?

[Dave King]

Mike I'll be honest, I think you moved from the language of love to guilt in what a day? You did the same thing with your gospel project, of just give $10 now cause I said so. OK so it took you a day this time, that's better. Will you give $10 to every good cause that people who blog about your project blog about? If not why not? Cause it's only $10... What about all the mail you get with requests, do they each get $10?

BTW why not have people just donate to the Steven Lewis Foundation, they're set up through for that and will send the tax receipt for $10 or more.

- Peace

[Mike]

Point taken, Dave.

I think though if you read the 2 (Red)icence posts again you'll see that almost all of our responses are tongue-in-cheek, or humorous. The parable one was in response to a specific objection that troubled me deeply.

As for the mail requests, no, they don't all get $10. I have specific charities we support. However, yes... any blogs I see running an AIDS campaign will get $10 out of me. Every time.

[Joe]

Sometimes "giving cheerfully" can be like golf, people talk about it more than they do it. And conversly, people who talk about giving more than they do it are probably more like Michael Jordan as a golfer than Jesus Christ as a savior. I gave to God what is God's. Thanks mike for settin that up for me.

[Dave King]

OK so your filter is you give $10 to any web AIDS campaign. I expect others have different filters. I read the tung in cheek, but there was a fair bit of guilt too.

- Peace

[george]

Mike, I take it that it was my objection that troubled you deeply. I think you're missing my point. My point all along was as Christians why not be more supportive of Christian endeavours. Discern, absolutely, there are so many solid Christian missions to support and they at least reach out in the name of Christ. Stephen Lewis may be doing some great work but not in the name of Christ and that of course is the difference.

Maybe one of the Resonate pastors, who I know read your blog, (you guys all read each others, right?) can answer that question I asked you. I'm curious about how they might answer: A man who rejects Christ is reaching out to the poor out of his compassion, is he being Jesus?

I also think your parable was a manipulation.

So why did I give the $10? Cause I think your a good guy (regardless of how wrong I think you are)and my intent was not to suggest that giving to Lewis's foundation is wrong, just that it makes more sense to me as a Christ follower to give to Christ exalting organizations.

[Pete]

Take Care of Widows and Orphans. No conditions.

No only if it's the right orphans. No only if you can share the gospel. No only if its out of love. No only if it's through the right organization.

If it's out of guilt, that's okay. If it's out of fear, that's okay.

Take Care of Widows and Orphans. No conditions.

Great work Mike and Robert.

[robert]

Thanks Pete, but this will not happen without people spreading the word. The fact is that we only know so many people and once we have given each of these the opportunity to participate (and that's what we're doing. We're not trying to annoy or coerce people into giving, we are presenting them with an opportunity to participate in a campaign that will change lives for a measly $10. Imagine if you met Stephen Lewis on the street and he said, if you give me $10, I can change a life. That would not be possible because $10 is too little to do much more than buy a meal. But together, our $10 can and will change lives.)
So we're trying to alert as many people to this wonderful opportunity and they are responding in a wonderful way but we don't know enough to achieve the goal on our own.
If you are reading this and have not taken advantage of this offer, why not? Good karma will never come cheaper and if you have participated but not told your friends or family about this, why not? Good karma should be kept to oneself, it should, it must be shared. Share the news. Share. It's happening. You should be with us. After all, we're the people we've been waiting for.

[Beth Sheffield]

re: George's comment about the man who rejects Christ 'being Jesus' -- isn't the bigger question why the man who claims to be a Christ follower isn't 'being Jesus'?

[Jocelyn]

I know that this is an old post and I'm WAY behind the times, but I wanted to answer your question about why I'm not contributing $10.

I'm not contributing $10 because I can't use a credit card - out of personal choice and necessity. But let's meet up and I'll give you $10, cash, anytime. This is one of those things that I believe it's not possible to over-do.
Give to your church - give to your missionary in africa. Give to the Red Cross and MSF and UNICEF. But see the need, with wide open eyes, and give wisely and give often. It can't hurt us and can only help others - let's spread it around a bit.

[David]

I'm late to the conversation too, but I found this one interesting. I gave $10, but only cause I like Mike, and I like the way this is working, blog networking and all.

But I don't think anyone should feel obligate to this particular campaign. Giving should work like this: Prayerfully decide how much you need to live, save, and give. (we need way less than we think we do) Then pick two or three organizations that you want to give to. Don't feel obligated to give to any others. The catch is that most of us, including me, don't do this honestly, we can afford "just $10". However, I completely disagree with this "it's only $10" line of reasoning. Like someone already pointed out. We can't give $10 to every good cause.

I also appreciate choosing Christian organizations over secular ones, yet at the same time, I'm aware that some Christian organizations are incredibly incompetent. Hanging a cross on the door doesn't automatically fix that.