Sheila R. Vitale,  Pastor, Teacher & Founder
LIVING EPISTLES MINISTRIES

PO Box 562, Pt Jeff Sta, NY 11776-0562, USA

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Subj: Legitimate Giving for Causes

Date: 9/23/1998

From: xxxxxx

To: LivingEM

Hi Pastor Sheila - read or you said (I thought) that you give to legitimate causes. Do you ask the Lord in each specific case if you should contribute and wait for His answer?

The reason I ask is that there is a family that lives behind me who have a pre-mature10 month old daughter, xxxxx, who was born with a deformed esophagus and has 5 operations and will need more. She has Cortex blindness (whatever that means). A church in the local area is having a gospel singing to raise money to help with the medical expenses which are now at $2 million. They also ask for prayer.

Now, I am praying for the child, and I am willing to contribute to the cause. But I am learning to pray about everything first. I am wondering if you just put out a fleece with the Lord that you will contribute to legitimate causes unless He advises you not to do so in a specific case. Help me - what am I to do. Thanks and love - xxxxx

ANSWER:

I give to all legitimate causes, as my budget allows, according to two guidelines, beware of causes that stir the emotions, such as this one, and donations which would cause you to use money committed elsewhere.

In the first instance, the stirring of the emotions, a situation close to home, such as the one you describe, could understandably be a legitimate cause. Of course, the Lord should always be consulted and asked to intervene if He does not agree with your decision either to give to an emotional cause, or to use funds which are committed elsewhere.

I would give to an emotional cause for a neighbor, if I could afford it. But in most instances, I automatically reject emotional causes, and am more likely to make a donation in response to simple, but honest, requests.

It should be kept in mind that emotionalism is seductive and manipulative, and, therefore, a form of witchcraft. The Lord NEVER moves us with emotionalism, which is Satan's tactic.

The Lord is rational, calm and deliberate.

There are high and low emotions. Some examples of "high emotions" are selfless, sacrificial, love, heroism, mercy and compassion. These "high emotions" are NEVER separate and apart from reason, and are NEVER compulsive, driving, or generated by guilt or by pride, which "makes us feel good." There is a world of difference between "feeling good" in an emotional way, and the sense of Godly satisfaction and well-being which arises out of the righteous dissemination of the income that the Lord Jesus Christ has provided for us.

God bless you.

Love, Pastor Sheila