Nov 10, 2009
2.5 thoughts on that manipulated feeling we get when hearing about causes that need money.
1. Being manipulated and feeling manipulated are different.
2. Perhaps it’s our conscience.
3. If Jesus said to give when we’re cheated, how much more…
I don’t think you can have a 1/2 thought.
True, but I can post a 1/2 thought just to bait you.
It’s just a thought. An incomplete thought is still a (whole unit of) thought. WHY DON’T YOU GET THAT!!!!!!
I don’t know—probably because I
Well played, sir.
I love it! Especially #1.
What you say is true, but…
If I request money for a cause, and I’m a follower of Jesus, and I know that my request might cause you to feel manipulated and/or experience a crisis of conscience…
I had better well strive to love you (as well as Jesus loves you) in my asking, not judging or setting up stumbling blocks.
I only feel manipulated if the cause is disingenuous. For instance, when TBN asks for money I feel manipulated. Or if the guy at the mall who CAN NOT let you walk by without bombarding you with eight hundred samples of the newest soap technology from the heart of Israel asks me to buy his $50 bar of hand cream, then I feel manipulated. But when someone wants $30,000 to build a school in Vietnam, or $34 a month to educate a small child, or $2,000 for a summer camp for orphans, etc., I don’t feel manipulated. I feel honored.
All that to say, in my personal experience, there is a direct correlation between my feeling of being manipulated and the worthiness of the cause to which I’m being asked to give.
… (if obedient) will we understand Hosea’s calling, sacrificial love and ultimately God’s grace to us when we cheat His design for us.
I really don’t like being manipulated to give. I work in a non-profit that provides mental health services for 5 to 12 yr olds. I also work for free at a new church plant. I can’t cash my work paycheck because giving is down and the state has cut funding. I could either cash my check and other employees couldn’t get paid or hope God would bring some money in so I can cash my check.
Yesterday when we had a 50% cut from the state I simply asked people on twitter to give and pray as they could for the agency I work for.
No one as far as I know gave anything. I’m not mad, upset, or frustrated. God and/or their conscious didn’t motivate them to give.
I hope people feel motivated to give not manipulated to give. I hope people give because they have a feeling to do so, their conscience is motivating them, and it honors Jesus.
I try to often give to charities as possible. We are about to be a one income family when my wife can no longer work. We have a 21 month old and a baby due literally any day. Something I only can give a small amount. I still give.
If Jesus could give himself away for me, can’t I and shouldn’t I give myself away in his name?
in my experience, feeling manipulated comes when i perceive an appeal that relies heavily on barrages of statistics, overwrought promises of ROI, graphic/maudlin images and visual editing, lots of pathetic language, and guilt trips. especially when not accompanied by much information on the part of what the appealer is going to do, specifically, to help this cause.
i’m thinking of a certain animal rights commercial that makes me want to throw up. it involves dozens of images of poor quality sad-puppy-dog-eyes in slo-mo backed by a Sarah McLaughlin track. and then Sarah M herself gives you a guilt trip in a really soft voice. maybe i should get over it and help the animals . . . but i know i won’t. it’s too ridiculous.
Whose money is it anyways?
We’re teaching our 2 year old to share by asking her “who does that toy belong to?” whenever she takes something from someone else.
She always replies, “Uh. Jesus.” So rewarding things to hear it. Good reminder for me too.
Good post. It is odd we are so reluctant to discuss money in Christian community when Jesus called it the smallest of things.