OT: A penny for your thoughts?

This is an email I received from my church.  I've removed the names and numbers for privacy sake but I just wanted to ask each of you what you think about this.  ------------------------------ Billy Bob & Betty Sue are in need of an automobile.  Their car has been in the shop since Tuesday and needs a new transmission.  The new transmission will be around $2450.00 and a rebuilt/used transmission will be around $1650.00 with no guarantee of lasting.  At this point they have asked for us to pray for them…to make the decision of what they should do because their car has over 200,000 miles on it and are unsure of placing a transmission in a car with so many miles or should they just consider buying a newer model.  They are using a rental car until next Tuesday.  Their budget is limited so they want to make sure God is in this.   If you have can help with this need…please call Betty Sue at 555-555-1212 (cell)

I think this sort of thing is pretty standard fare for churches.

Maybe someone in the congregation has a car for sale these people can afford.. maybe someone can get them a new transmission cheaper.. maybe a mechanic can kick his services.  They are in a bind and turned to their church family.. not unusual.

Understanding that they are poor, they're better off putting the money into a car with less mileage than a new transmission into one w/200,000.   IMO, the church should do this privately and help $ what they can.  Once, when I was in bad times, my church handed me $250 which paid for my oil bill.  They didn't know I needed it as badly as I did.  They did it quietly...saved my pride.

I have mixed feelings on this.  Although I know church's usually do things like this, but at the same time I don't think that they should always put everything on everyone's else's shoulder's.   Call me not nice?? lol I don't know, but to me I would rather make my choice myself or ask a few people that is close to me rather than have the world know my business and beg for money.  I'm also a VERY independent person when it comes to money or borrowing things, or asking for anyone for anything.  I do it on my own regardless.  To me it's just tacky.

I didn't have enough money one year for I think it was Christmas.  I felt so low going and asking for help through a church.   BUT, at the same time I wrote them a post dated check for helping me out. I could never live with myself taking stuff from people and not giving back in some kind of way.

That's just me.  So yea, sorry...I don't like the letter.   

 

I don't mind people asking for help one bit.  I think a church is a great place to go and ask for help. I just don't think that people should try to play the God card. What irks me about this email is the line that says, "Their budget is limited so they want to make sure God is in this." First let me say, I struggle with my faith. I'm a self-made man that came from a poor family. I know I have issues dealing with religion and putting faith in God. I struggle with giving Him credit for all that I have. I am blessed, yes... but I feel like I did all the work. There are a few situations in my life where I asked God for things and those things were provided. Was it Him?... I'm not sure. Was it me?? I'm really not sure.. It just happened.  I did not 'play the God card' on other people to get these things I wanted. I simply prayed and told God of my desires. I then set about attempting to achieve the goal and things came through for me.  For the record, everything I've ever prayed for has been given to me. Conceited? No.... I just don't pray for unrealistic things.  Majority of the time when I do pray, it's usually not for me but for someone else. Like I said..a self-made man and I feel I shouldn't worry God with things I can take care of on my own.  Many in the church disagree with that philosophy. I don't care. It works for me. Now, back to the statement.  It really ticks me off that these people are begging for help and then they say they want to make sure God is in it.  God has NOTHING to do with this email.  It is a plea for help to relieve a financial burden. As I said before, there is nothing wrong with asking for help, even financially and the church is a great place to do that. However, don't try to play on the heart strings of the church members and act like you're putting it in God's hands. You're not. You're putting your burden in people's hands and asking for their help. Word your email as such. Example: "Dear Church Family, Our car is broke down and we cannot afford to fix it. Furthermore, it has over 200,000 miles and even if we could afford to fix it we're afraid something else will give out. Is there anyone that might have a spare car or can help us financially to secure a more dependable car? God bless you all for your help, Billy Bob & Betty Sue"

I saw that too but was afraid to say anything.  I agree with everything you just said.  And like LVS said, a mechanic, something could help them out other than money, services could be very helpful to them. They just worded it totally wrong.  And yes, God is in on this no matter what, after all he sees all, hears all.  So yea, I totally agree with you that they played the God card.  

Honestly, they did not ask for money nor did the church. They asked for prayer. Thing is sometimes prayers are answered through someone being able to offer services, a cheap car, or may even have a tranny they can use sitting on their garage floor, etc to assist the family in need.  We often do food and gift packages when our families are in need. We also offer money (quietly), small interest free loans, and love offerings to these families depending on their needs and their situation. This is nothing unusual at all.  Beth

See I thought they asked for prayer too. The more I read it the more I feel it's a way to beat around the bush.  That's my complaint. Don't beat around the bush and act like you're putting it in God's hand or you need prayer. Just let them know what the need is. People who are active praying people will pray about the situation regardless. Maybe I'm just bitter..   I am struggling tremendously with my faith and have been for quite some time. I find fault in a lot of things that are related to church and/or Christianity.

Chris I'm actually surprised by the email you received.  My church I guess does things differently.  When we have a family in need our church will do a special offering for them in the service if requested or put a jar on the table outside of the chapel for donations.  The email did read like they were asking for money, but using the God card as you call it.  I think there would have probably been a better way to word the email.  Frankly if they want to make sure "God is involved" then the email shouldn't have had $$$$$ in it.  Also, normally you would pray for it yourself and not advertise to a whole congregation or if you wanted prayers from others for help, then it certainly wouldn't have had $$$$ involved. I'm sorry to hear you are still struggling with your faith.  I recall a couple of posts last year.  Something to remember is that some people use God for everything and as an excuse for why something has gone wrong in their life or that God hasn't given them the answer to their problems.  Many times they ask and God does answer, the people just aren't LISTENING.  I'm not saying this is you by the way.  I'm talking about people who ask for everything, but just don't go about fixing whatever is wrong.  I can't give you any advice on how to get through the struggle.  I can say that God always listens and answers, even if he doesn't answer...that's an answer as well.  You just keep on working on YOU and things will fall in place.