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If you’ve benefitted from Desiring God’s free online resources over the years (as I have), then I encourage you to consider giving a monthly donation. They are having a “1% Campaign” right now to encourage users to contribute. Here’s a message from Executive Director Jon Bloom explaining the rationale for the campaign. This is a wonderful ministry, and I hope you’ll take time to check it out.
8 Comments
F.A.
Why doesn’t Jon Bloom give the money he makes doing those swagger wagon ads?
Denny Burk
LOL!
Donald Johnson
I can see ANY ministry asking for support if people have been spiritually fed by it, but I cannot see asking for a specific amount or percentage or anything like that. I think teachers should stay FAR AWAY from possibly being seen as sheep eaters.
Voluntary giving, yes; anything beyond that, no, including suggesting how much (in any way) to give.
Justin Taylor
Donald,
1% refers to the number of their web users they hope might contribute, not to how much they suggest one contributes.
JT
Donald Johnson
Yes, I saw that, but he did mention specific amounts.
I am all for giving where one is fed spiritually as one is able, but I do not see specific amounts (in any form) mentioned in Scripture for new covenant believers to give to their teachers; so I do not think teachers should cross that line.
Brandon Smith
Donald,
So you would not give to DG simply because they showed the math behind their needs? Quite the leap, brother. Don’t be so critical over something so small, very Pharisaical.
To each his own, I suppose.
Donald Johnson
I have no problem with a ministry asking for donations and explaining why.
I do have a problem with asking for specific amounts or percentages or anything like that. I see that as crossing a line that should not be crossed by disciples of Jesus.
Others can disagree, of course. But that is the way I see it.
Desiring God
Thanks for this post, Denny.
@Donald Johnson
1% refers to the percentage of web visitors we’re looking to for support.
The reason we mention a specific amount, and offer pre-filled amounts on our web page, is to show that even just $5 / month is helpful.
The amounts we propose are not a “law” we are trying to force on free disciples of Christ, it’s a merely a request or recommendation.