Why not just give money?

Recently, I came back from a three month sabatical in Maseno, Kenya serving with the coptic mission. When I got back, someone asked me an honest question that I had asked myself before – wouldnt it be more help just to donate the money you used for the trip?

Now for me to speak against almsgiving would just be stupid. Anyone whos ever read Saint John Chrystoms “On Wealth and Poverty” or any of the sermons he gave knows that he never ceases praising charity and the necessity of giving to those who are in need, being faithful stewards to the money God has given us. And anyone who does give to charity can testify that its benefit, not to mention the biblical command of tithing and the verse “God loves a cheerful giver”.

However, I believe that just giving money often falls short of what God wants for us. The man who asked this has two children who require food, schooling, clothing, and housing. So I asked him what was better: to give money to support their needs or to take responsibility and raise them. He answered the latter. Did Jesus Christ just send resources so that we could feel better, or did he come and teach us, show us, and even die for us to save our lives?

In the same way, we should give our lives for the children of God. Almsgiving is great, but Jesus calls us to follow Him. The problem is that there arent enough people who love the Lord enough to do that. We talk empty words saying that we love God, but when it comes to anything that cuts into my conveniece, we shy away. Does a parent take care of their childs needs after making sure they have everything they want from themselves? But we only give God and our brothers whats left over after we have given ourselves everything and anything our heart desires.

To our shame, atheists nationally give more money to charity than Christians. Anyone can give money to others to quiet that voice inside saying we should help. But Christ calls us not just to give money, but to give ourselves. Christ calls us to love others as He loved us. Who is willing to answer the call to follow Him?

Radio Station Cont

K, so initialy, we were broadcasting an Internet Radio Station using a great program called Sam Broadcaster.  Sam was probably the easiest complete solution for internet broadcasting, as it was literally installed, setup, and broadcasting in 20 mins.  We had some reliability issues however, and in addition, it wasnt very expandable.

Plan B, after contacting WGTS 91.9, we learned of a company called Prophet Nexgen, who seem to be a professional grade company in all aspect of radio broadcasting.  Downloaded a trial of PSI101, there basic broadcasting solution, but ran into difficulties.  This was not quite as easy or intuitive as SAM, which led me to start reading the extensive help file.  Unfortunatly, the help file doesnt go into any detail about setup for Internet Broadcast.  Any links and prayers are apprieciated, and Ill keep posting as developments occur.

Coptic Internet Radio

Abouna Bishoy has another vision, an Orthodox internet radio station.  Its been in mind for a while, but by God providing for us, it is beginning to come to fruition. To be honest, when Andrew asked me if I would be willing to take on starting it, I am always willing to take something on, thats my God given nature.  But this one was a question of capability for me, I barely even listen to the radio, muchless do I know how to build one from the ground up.

Before I gave Andrew a response, I put it in my prayers for a couple days, but I didnt really catch the response.  I mean my schedule had opened up and I happen to have 300 hours of sermons, but that wouldn’t be the criteria I needed.  Well, when I talked to Andrew, we said that we would give it a try and see what God does with it.

Its been 4 days since we started, the station is currently running a queue of the recorded sermons, and I feel that God is blessing this ministry.  Things seem to be coming together: ideas, a schedule, new material, people willing to share personal words – im excited about it.  I dont know exactly whats going to happen yet, but its in my prayers, and I request that it be in yours too.