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How Would You Invest $10,000 in Eternity?
In the financial world money managers pick the stocks of the companies they think will turn a profit. What would it look like for Christians to invest their money for eternal rewards with the same intentionality?
I thought it would be an interesting exercise and an opportunity to learn about worthy ministries if I threw open the following question:
If you had $10,000 and were asked to give it away to support the advance of God's kingdom how would you invest it for maximum effect? Which ministries, individuals or churches would you give to and why?I won't give any more guidelines than that because I'd like to learn not only who you think is effective but what work you think is most strategic.
So please post a comment and share who you'd give to, how much you'd give them of your $10,000 and why you'd give to them. (Please note that I do not necessarily endorse or support any of the ministries that people list in the comments.)
"And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' - Matthew 25:20-21
Please enter the letter "d" in the field below:
Comments (43)
I would try to find national pastors in third-world countries and support their ministry as they plant churches in their countries.
Posted by Filipe Niel | August 3, 2009 3:58 PM
If I had 10K dollars, I will support ministries that equip new leaders to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth.. Personally, I would support Next Level International and it's ministry in Europe.. The work they have started in Eastern and Central Europe is so remarkable. It was a wake call for me.. The need is so overwhelming in Europe and I was struck by how they need GOD in their lives..
Posted by hafsha | August 3, 2009 4:04 PM
If I had 10K to advance God's kingdom I would support Operation Mobilization and the Jesus Film Project.
Posted by Mindy Paterson | August 3, 2009 4:17 PM
$10,000....i would invest $8,000 into our local church...amazing ministry into our local community via Crossroads and love seeing how God is pouring out His blessing onto the work that is happening. The other $2,000 I would gift to International Justice Mission in their plight against human trafficking. I would then wish I had more to give because the need is so big but then I would tell myself the truth of God's word...He is our provider and we can be good stewards of what He has given and listen to HIS voice about where and when to give. It is the sacrifice...not the amount..it is our heart postured in a heart desirous to give to extend His kingdom!
Posted by Jacqueline Bay | August 3, 2009 4:23 PM
i will give that.. to my fellow filipinos in babuyan island, Philippines.. by conducting health missions and spiritual evangelism in the island and other parts of the country so that they will know about God, Jesus Christ!
Posted by marah shamir catsro | August 3, 2009 4:28 PM
1/8-Ron Hutchcraft Ministries
1/8-Bible League
1/4-Focus on the Family
1/4-World Vision
1/4-Precept Ministries
Posted by Kathy | August 3, 2009 4:31 PM
If I had 10 K dolles, I would try to save the world. I think it is God's desire to work well with the world and its creatures to be. Currently, it is unfortunately very bad. The rain forests are cut down and because of global warming melting the poles. This must be urgently stopped. It is also important for communities to invest, the very poor and struggle daily for survival. Maybe you should find as a mediocrity. A part in the environment and to invest a part in people and communities who struggle daily for survival need (hope my English is understandable insofar as, unfortunately, I am not so proficient)
Posted by Anja Zutz | August 3, 2009 4:53 PM
If this is allowed in the poll, I'd use it to adopt domestically. If that's not allowed :) I'd give it to my church, maybe to do some city outreach.
Anja, I understood what you wrote! Thanks for the reminder that it's important for Christians to care for the earth!
Posted by Christen | August 3, 2009 5:07 PM
I've thought about this before; I see so many brothers in need and wish I had money so that I could support them (1John3:17 like).
2k to my local church
4k (two each--to a couple solid church plants in my area--solid churches are scarce in my region, it's cold up here in the NorthEast)
2k to MarsHill Global
2k to a young missionary family of five I've been praying for in Senegal reaching out to unreached Wolofs
If I had more I'd give to:
James McDonald's Walk in the Word ministry
ReachLife Ministries
My very dear brother in Christ who's battling off a huge amount of college loans
Various national on-campus ministry organizations (IVCF,Campus Crusade etc)--prayerfully that God would work in and redeem that college culture.
I could go on forever...I've already thought about this w/ like a million. I'd absolutely love to worship God this way n glorify God with finances--too bad I'm a broke college kid w/ a trickling income :\ ...but there's just so many brothers & sisters in need today
Posted by Alexander | August 3, 2009 5:46 PM
If I had 10k to invest in God's kingdom, I would give it to the International Mission Board to continue supporting missionaries that are reaching the unreached people groups across the globe. Correct me if i'm wrong, but they support 5,544 missionaries on the field. And they are funded through the Southern Baptist Convention and its churches.
Their goal for the annual missions offering is a substantial $175 million and they came up short by $32 million this past year. Which means they had to send some missionaries back to the states due to the lack of funds. Therefore, the proclamation of the gospel to unreached peoples has been cut off in some areas until the deficit can be attained.
Posted by Josh Rector | August 3, 2009 5:53 PM
All $10,000 to Frontiers to advance missions being done among unreached Muslim people groups
Posted by Jamie | August 3, 2009 6:52 PM
I think the breakdown would be similar to my current distribution, with the exception of a few ministries on the assumption that in this hypothetical case of suddenly having $10k that had to go to ministry it would not be replacing that which I already give. These are of course my instincts on it now, prayer and leading can override instinct when it comes to actually giving.
A little over half ($5300) would go to my church as I believe that this is where God has placed me to both give and serve, so it is here that the largest percent is given. I would designate between 1/3rd ($1700) and up to half of that toward Missions (which for my church has both local and foreign components) leaving the rest to be used where needed.
$1700 would go to my local branch of Gospel Rescue Mission - to contribute to reaching the poor where I am.
$1350 would go toward Bible translation, $400 of which, if needed, would go toward a friend working in some unnamed country thatta way (points east), the remainder to Wycliffe. I believe it is important to reach unreached people in their own language, to better equip them to then go and reach their own people.
$950 would go to The Navigators ministry, with emphasis on their college (university) branch. College is an important time to reach young people as their ideas about the purpose of living begin to shape. I Like this ministry for its desire to make disciples not just converts. I would designate up to half of this, again if needed, to support a friend involved with this ministry.
$700 would go to the efforts of CSNTM (www.csntm.org) for the preservation of the texts we have that the Bible would continue to be preserved for generations to come and so that Biblical scholarship can be made more efficient.
Posted by Josh M | August 3, 2009 7:03 PM
I would give it to The Master's Academy International. They train national pastors on every continent except Antarctica. You can't get more for your money than TMAI.
Posted by Jim Dunn | August 3, 2009 7:47 PM
$10K? The nearest crisis pregnancy center
Posted by Jeff | August 3, 2009 8:44 PM
I would put it towards supporting another full-time pastor at our church, we already have a great pool of outreach but we desperately need another full-time pastor who specialises in counselling.
Posted by cait | August 3, 2009 9:03 PM
Hmmm..
**3k to produce free bibles.
**3k local church planting.
**2k to support sunday school ministries (teaching people about God while their young).
**2k to support pastors who are willing but can't afford seminaries.
=)
Posted by Calvin Cuevas | August 3, 2009 9:11 PM
Normally, I would give half to Heart Cry Missionary Society to support indigenous missionaries and the other half to World Vision to provide food, clean water, and relief of human suffering. I would love to give it to these two organizations, but currently would probably use all the money to fund my wife and mine's adoption of two orphans from Ethiopia which will cost $27,000+.
Posted by Michael Boyd | August 3, 2009 9:11 PM
If God blessed me with 10,000 dollars, first of all
I'll give my tithes which is 10%,
then
a love offering of 10% again which will be given to my church
15% to bless my parents. for my in laws and for my parents which will be equally divided.
5% for those who are in need which I'll be asking God.
while the 60%, I'll invest it to a business or anything that I will gain profit to get the the 10,000 dollars again or more and make the distribution of blessing again.
I want to be a continuous channel of blessing. that is the purpose of the 60%.
Posted by Jimmy Nick Estrada | August 3, 2009 9:34 PM
I would give it all to Compassion International. If you do not know who they are or what they do-their mission, please check out their website. I have sponsored a child for about 5 years now and it has changed my life forever. I hope to meet her someday, and sponsor more children in the future. The mission of this organization is nothing short of amazing.
Posted by Natalie | August 3, 2009 10:58 PM
1/3 Frontiers
1/3 HeartCry Missionary Society
1/3 Compassion International
Posted by Jon | August 3, 2009 11:23 PM
50% half to Paul Washer and the HeartCry Missionary Society as they plant churches and equip Pastors in indigenous regions to preach the true Gospel 20% to my church for their building fund and 30% to Way of the Master which is an amazing evangelism ministry by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron which equips believers to share their faith biblically using the law and Gospel like Jesus did....they have helpd me tremendously teaching me how to interact with non believers and go out of my way to witness to them!
Posted by Angela | August 3, 2009 11:59 PM
I would use it to buy Joshua Harris books to give away. Do I win a prize? =]
Posted by yipeng | August 4, 2009 3:56 AM
well at this point of my life, I'd say I'd give it to unreached peoples' missions. Also to Living Waters Ministries, in Indonesia...catering for displaced and unwanted children in the interiors.
Posted by LarryN | August 4, 2009 4:27 AM
I will use it to plant Campus ministries in many schools and universities.
Posted by Anthony | August 4, 2009 8:42 AM
I would give the entire $10,000 to my church's building fund. I believe that God has put me in this location and this church for a reason, and I am excited to see how the Lord will use our local church to have an impact on our area and the world. A functional building would provide the church a better opportunity to serve others (by the way, the building sloagan is, "Building To Serve").
Posted by David Peters | August 4, 2009 10:10 AM
invest in foreign exchange (money market) and spend the profit to campus ministry. this way, my initial investment won't deplete but rather earn good returns. am a forex broker myself...
Posted by Dan-dan | August 4, 2009 11:09 AM
When My wife and I were newly married a letter appeared in our mailbox with $10,000 from a friend of ours and it was a gift to help us in our mission field called life. We were as the letter read "found to be faithful with the little we had." Thank the Lord for the gift since then we have been able to buy our Home which is a two family and in the apartment we have a newly married couple just starting in a new business we have been able to help them out with. Bless those who are faithful.
Posted by David Axberg | August 4, 2009 2:44 PM
With 8k I would start a Micro loan program for national pastors and evangelist in Asia. That way it doesn't create dependency and also the 5k would then be recycled throughout the community.
The remaining 2k would go to fund nationals doing Bible translation.
Posted by Jerod | August 4, 2009 7:09 PM
5K Answers In Genesis
5K Precept Ministries
Posted by Jenny | August 5, 2009 12:20 AM
A percentage to my local church.
A percentage to Joel Rosenberg's Joshua Fund ministry.
A percentage to send my college age son to the mission field in a very, very poor country so he can see God at work among those who have no material things but great hope thanks to the message of Christ.
Posted by Brenda@Coffeeteabooksandme | August 5, 2009 11:28 AM
half to To Every Tribe ministries in south Texas, equipping folks to go where no believer has gone before.
the other half to a ministry that has established classical Christian schools in northern Iraq, which schools are open to all, moslems included, in their cities.
Both of these ministries pay no support to their workers, each one must raise their own. Goes for administration, logistics, and facilities. And both outfits are VERY frugal.
Posted by Nico | August 5, 2009 1:08 PM
I know it's late, but I couldn't pass this up. I'd take the 10k and give 2k to a missionary I support in Japan. That's simply because I wish I could support him more now.
The other 8k is going to Wycliffe for translation work.
Posted by Dan Smith | August 5, 2009 2:42 PM
I would donate it all to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for crusades and festivals (evangelism).
Posted by Tracy Atcheson | August 5, 2009 2:53 PM
1/3 - Lottie Moon Christmas offering
1/3 - International Justice Mission
1/3 - Local Crisis Pregnancy Center
Posted by Jennifer S | August 5, 2009 7:29 PM
hmm i think this is cute. $10,000, right?
hmm i'll give half to my church so we can have our own building and half will go the missions to reach out Muslims here in the Philippines.
Thanks for this.
Posted by Mikes Sumondong | August 5, 2009 9:32 PM
I'm torn between investing it for long-term profits to help with projects in our church to reach the community
OR
Giving it to support another intern in our church.
Posted by cait | August 5, 2009 10:34 PM
How many don't actually have $10,000 we could give, if we were to consider all out money as God's money?
This ought not be hypothetical. If we say we would give $10,000 to x, y, z...and we have $10,000 we can give...what's the hold up?
Strategically, I would support training pastors overseas to how to preach, teach, and counsel. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Train them to proclaim that truth (as far as training can go, and praying for hearts to be opened to the truth).
Many ministries do this.
Posted by Daniel | August 6, 2009 12:09 AM
Interesting concept.
Another good Christian blog which I have come across is www.reaching-god.com
Posted by Anil | August 7, 2009 4:18 PM
St James Clerknwell in London I think, but then, 10k is not really a lot over there...
World Vision is doing good things...
Global expeditions...
Beth Moore or Joyce Myer has a home for abandoned teen girls so maybe on of those...
Posted by Amanda! | August 8, 2009 12:56 AM
I would give to The Pregnancy Center of Toledo, Ohio to spread the gospel through education that the lives of unborn babies are sacred. The women who have come out of this ministry truly are changed by the presence of The Pregnancy Center in this community, not to mention the benefit to their children. The Pregnancy Center has sonograms available as well as mentoring programs to help women in need to see other options besides abortion. Their goal is to start a GED program affiliated with the center to give women skills to take care of themselves as well as their children. A worthy ministry indeed!
Posted by Christina | August 8, 2009 6:56 AM
*subject to God's discretion, if I were to be given this sum of money I would surrender it in prayer and subsequently divide it how He reveals for me to.
That said, if God willed it,
I do believe He would first have me tithe to my church.
Aside from that, my heart is divided two-fold. #1 to those faithful missionaries who serve God with total abandon and see every lost soul as He does, desperately in need of His love and grace. To those who don't waste their salvation, and to live by Pauls words, "To live is Christ"
#2 - to a ministry here in the states, to strategically and radically abolish the watered down christianity that so many of us americans are quick to brand ourselves with, but are completely ignorant of our pharisee-ism. The words of Matthew 7:21-23 seem to be always on my mind lately, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven...Many will say to me on that day 'Lord, Lord,'Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.'"
Posted by Jessica | August 12, 2009 11:12 PM
(hehe i know this is late, but i thought i'd chime in)
As tempted as I would be to write check to a missions organization or some Christian cause (e.g. Bible translation), would it really be less kingdom impacting if it when to a non-Christian organization with a good cause like AIDS awareness?
I've heard Matt.25 interpreted two ways: #1- helping the trivialized Christians (b/c Jesus uses the word 'brothers') and #2- helping trivialized people in general.
I don't know which is right or not, but I am leaning towards interpretation #2.
Regardless, $10K doesn't do that much these days alone. Thought and prayer are essential. 5 loaves 2 fish, right?
Posted by j | August 14, 2009 3:21 PM
In my pride, I would like to think that I could manage the money like Dan-Dan above to earn a steady stream of income, but then I think that I would just be too tempted to think that it was ME doing the providing and I would enjoy the control.
Not to say anything bad about any one of the amazing ministries listed, but I just don't know them.
By God's grace, I would give it all to my local church. There is plenty of need for the support right here. I wouldn't tell them what to use it for, I trust my pastors. They are my heroes.
Posted by Geoffrey | August 22, 2009 10:49 PM