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To the Editor:

After Christians give 10 percent to their church, they should consider some ways of making their giving go further. Some organizations have more than 75 percent of gifts going to salaries and other administrative costs, such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which is on TV. It is far better to give directly to the Carter County Animal Shelter, where they can get 100 percent of your gift.

Give no money to those calling on the phone, as most are scams and want to steal your ID to charge things to you. There are scam calls that lie and say the money they collect is given to veterans, police and Christian children, when actually none of it goes to them.

We should always seek to be wise managers of the blessings God has bestowed upon us, whether as individuals, families, churches or the nation. A good steward isn’t only informed but also frugal. Teddy Roosevelt said, “It is eminently desirable that none of us should be hard-hearted, but it is no less desirable that we should be so soft-headed.”

We shouldn’t give cash to panhandlers with signs such as “Will work for food.” I keep some food in my car to give them.

Giving to local Christian causes should be our priority because it does the most good, and they have proven to be trustworthy. Locally, we should pray for and give to Angie Odom at TLC Women’s Community Center, which is moving to a new location on Lovers Lane. Also, locally, we should give to Ronda Paulson at Isaiah 117 House, which provides support in a safe and loving home for children awaiting placement. It’s a member of the Christian Alliance for Orphans.

Also give to Assistance Resource Ministry (ARM: 542-0919); Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go CBM Camp in Watauga (543-8272); Doe River Ministries Christian Camp in Hampton (725-4010); Recovery Soldiers Ministry; local Christian radio; the Salvation Army; the Gideons, etc. The Gideons give Bibles, and all your gifts to them buy Bibles, with none going to administrative costs.

You should also donate clean clothes to ARM and Lynn Valley Baptist Church. Don’t donate to Goodwill, which isn’t a Christian ministry. The highest priority of Goodwill is to pay its many CEOs six-figure salaries!

Christians should do as Jesus did. Jesus always emphasized the need to help souls as well as bodies. Jesus fed thousands, but only after He presented the gospel. Our spare change will only help meet people’s needs today, but people need real change that only comes from a saving relationship with Jesus. Jesus will help them forever.

For Christians to only make sure people enter hell with a full stomach and nice clothes is having misguided priorities! The Bible says those who win souls are wise and the greatest givers! Jesus is coming soon, and you don’t want to be ashamed at what little you did for Jesus!

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton