Tennis Ministry newsletter-Giving

Love to Serve News October 1, 2000

With 626,226 charities vying for contributions and another 30,000 joining their ranks every year, how do you decide which ones deserve your dollars?

Andre Agassi’s foundation has raised over 14 million USD, 3.2 million is one day alone, for children in his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pat Cash’s -Children’s Foundation- raised money for the underprivileged in Australia and he works with -Goal- involved in relief and post disaster development work in Africa.
Retired Pro, Malivai Washington's -Kids Foundation- raises money for Boys and Girls Clubs in Jacksonville, Florida.
Todd Martin's foundation raises money for youth tennis in his hometown in Michigan.
Pete Sampras contributes his time and money for AIDS research.
Goran Ivanisevic’s -Children in Need Foundation- assists needy children in his home of Croatia.
Retired pro, Andrea Jaeger’s -Silver Lining Foundation- assists children with cancer in the USA.
Retired pro, John McEnroe’s foundation supports cultural improvement in New York.
Michael Chang’s family foundation supports the presentation of the Gospel to Asia.
Martina Hingis traveled as a member of ‘Teams to End Poverty’ to Colombia's street children and to Nepal with the World Health Organization.
Gustavo Kuerten’s foundation supports needy families in South American with affordable housing.

‘Sports personalities’ giving is not limited to tennis.

Tiger Woods recently raised $10 million USD with a one week tournament to aid victims of an earthquake in Taiwan.

For a Christian to have a proper understanding for giving, it is important to have an understanding of what the Bible tells us about this.

That the poor will be with us always. (Mat. 26:11)
That people are to assist orphans, widows, prisoners and the sick. (Jas 1:27)(Luk 4:18)
Believers in Christ are to bring the message of Christ to every tongue, tribe and nation. (Mat. 28:19)
That we are to support the workers who go out bringing the message of Christ. (1 Tim 5:17)
That after the message of Christ is heard in every tongue, tribe and nation; Christ will return to the world to end all sorrow, sickness and disease. (Rev. 14:16)

How important it is to give to causes that bring the knowledge of Christ to those in need?

Christ, through the Holy Spirit, can heal hearts, emotions and bodies.
Christ sends a helper, the Holy Spirit, to assist in changing behavior.
Christ is our example to follow.
Followers of Christ are told in the Bible to assist others, physically and spiritually.
After earthly death, a new life with God will begin with no tears or suffering.

The clearest example I have seen of why it is important to bring a message of hope in Christ was during a trip to India. The first city I landed in was Calcutta. Poverty, death, disease and misery were on every street corner. Hinduism and its philosophy dominated every level of society. In this city each individual is left to find their own way to lessen their suffering. I then went to a Northern India city that is predominately Christian brought by missionaries in the later 1800’s. The missionaries planted Churches, introduced hospitals, education and social reform with the result that the majority of population is Christian. The contrasts between the two regions were extreme.

While a discussion of the various philosophies that the world offers to mankind is beyond the scope of this letter. When one understands the final conclusion of these philosophies, you realize that they themselves are the cause of much suffering. Go to a Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Communist or Agonistic nation and one can not help but observe the human misery and suffering that prevails.

A person's long-standing situation can only change when their behaviors change. Giving to a charitable cause without a need for a changed lifestyle, thinking and hope can be something like putting a Band-Aid on a person with a heart attack. The intention is good but the solution is wrong.

The first step in giving is to look for charities that seek to change behaviors and thoughts. As Christians we need to seek those charities that do this in Christ. Christ said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

The second step is identifying the greatest need. If you have two children, one has no food to eat and will die today and we have it in our power to give a loaf of bread so that they will live. The other is suffering but is not going to die today. Where is the need the greatest?

The third step is using wisdom in giving. I have some areas that I look at before I give. Does the charity have a stated mission of introducing Christ to those they serve. Does the charity have an acceptable percentage of administrative and staff salaries vs. total income. Great charities use all donations towards those in need. Where does the charity put its efforts with those most needy around the world. Does the charity build expensive buildings or do they build lives? Does the leader of the charity give their all to helping others as reflected in their own lifestyle. Do they themselves use their own entire resources before they ask others for theirs. And lastly can the donation be spent better reaching others who need it more.

The forth step is getting involved. When one gives their emotions to a charity you have a donor. When a donor travels and looks into the faces of those most in need, they become a lifelong friend. And finally when your friends see their efforts bringing results they themselves are changed.

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