Website Offers Clarity for Confused Contributors to Christian Charities
by Allie Martin
January 12, 2004
(AgapePress) - Christians have an online tool to help them decide which ministries to support.The website is GGMarketplace.org and is a project of Generous Giving, Inc. -- a ministry that takes potential donors through a step-by-step process that helps them identify opportunities to help others that match individual's interests and values. The organization's goal is to help Americans understand what it means to give generously, strategically, and according to personal values.
Daryl Heald, president of Generous Giving, says potential donors are often confused by the number of quality, Christ-centered ministries vying for their dollars. Such confusion, he says, can be remedied through prayer.
"One of the things that people need to [do] is pray and ask God for specific direction," he says. He suggests asking the Lord if there is a particular region of the world, a particular country, or even a particular issue that He would have them support -- not neglecting to also consider local ministries or even one's own church.
"If you pray for that, I know God will answer that prayer," Heald says.
According to the non-profit ministry head, people find more satisfaction in giving by identifying causes and issues that have personal meaning to them. He says that is why his group is attempting to convey the message of giving taught by Jesus Himself: it is more blessed to give than to receive.
"An important question that has to be answered is: why should I give in the first place? There are many places there in the Bible where we're commended to give -- and we should give with an eternal perspective," he says.
The Generous Giving Marketplace offers more than 900 charity projects in what it describes as "the world's largest database of faith-based funding opportunities," and also offers donors the ability to communicate with organizations anonymously to avoid being placed on telemarketing lists. The website also includes a "frequently asked questions" (FAQ) section with information on tithing, discipling of givers, and -- for pastors -- preaching to a church on giving.
