Deep Thoughts: Feed the poor and grow rich

Friday, March 06, 2009

Feed the poor and grow rich

I've started tracking fraud in religious charities. My first story is troubling. It is alleged that some Christians feed the poor in order to grow rich. Why would a “real Christian” do that?

A Walton County, Ga., judge will decide Friday whether
to bar the leaders of a multimillion dollar charity from their Monroe headquarters pending an FBI investigation into financial mismanagement.

The lawsuit involves Angel Food Ministries, a food charity
founded and run by the Rev. Joseph Wingo, his wife and two sons.

A Feb. 25 suit filed by Angel Food board members Craig Atnip, of Texas, and David Prather, of Georgia, alleges the Wingos enriched themselves by at least $2.7 million.

What would Jebus do? I am fairly certain he would not take a $600K housing allowance, or own a private jet.

Angel Food Ministry actually helps people. They offer discounted food to people who need a meal. It’s what they are alleged to do with the rest of the money that is a cause for concern. Their website warns about gossip, so be careful, you don’t want to be a backbiter because that’s just as bad as murder.... They do not mention theft. I wonder if that is as bad as murder?

Walk into any church, move silently around and eves-drop on a few conversations, and you'll likely discover gossip is a major problem in the Body of Christ. This ought not be so. According to the Word, God takes gossip very seriously. In Romans 1:28-32, He lumps whisperers and backbiters right in there with murderers, sexual perversion, and haters of God. Wow! That's some bad company to keep!

The FBI is involved. This will not end well.

Since it's Friday, I’ll close with some music lyrics Perhaps the Wingo’s will get the message.

Live High by Jason Mraz.