MJMCCULL@OWUCOMCN (Mike McCully) (01/11/90)
As long as we are discussing hypothetical situations about being a lawyer and so on, here's another one: Say that in your neighborhood a poor boy becomes incredibly rich through drug dealing. He offers to donate $100,000 to your church for the purpose of evangelism, helping the homeless, or some other worthy cause. You know that his money has been earned through the destruction of many young lives, that is, it is essentially "blood money". Do you accept this money? Would it make any difference if he repented first, gave up drug-dealing and joined your church (the Zaccheus parallel; but it's still blood money)? Mike
JIM@AUVM (Jim McIntosh) (01/12/90)
In article <CHRISTIA%90011117393290@FINHUTC>, Mike McCully <MJMCCULL@OWUCOMCN> says: >Say that in your neighborhood a poor boy becomes incredibly rich >through drug dealing. He offers to donate $100,000 to your church >for the purpose of evangelism, helping the homeless, or some other >worthy cause. You know that his money has been earned through >the destruction of many young lives, that is, it is essentially >"blood money". Do you accept this money? Would it make any >difference if he repented first, gave up drug-dealing and joined >your church (the Zaccheus parallel; but it's still blood money)? A couple of thoughts: 1. I worked for many years selling computer equipment to the defense industry... something I now consider sinful and very unchristian (FOR ME!! No flames please). How was I to get rid of my money which had been earned by exploiting the capability of the destruction of many, many lives? The best way I could think of was to give it to churches who would help "Clothe the naked" and "Feed the hungry" with it. 2. The money itself is neutral. It can't sin, and it *can* be used for good. If the donation was made through a third person or anonymously we would have no qualms about taking it. A concern would be about publically being identified with the donor, or having him or her being able to influence the ministry. 3. I don't think any of us is 100% good or 100% bad. There is good and bad in each of us. We all sin... we are all imperfect. Accepting the money from the person who has a lot of bad might encourage that part of him or her which is good, and enable that part to get stronger. I'd take the money... use it to help build the kingdom... and hope the donor got something out of it in the bargain too. ------- Jim McIntosh (JIM@AUVM) The American University Washington DC 20016 USA