Today’s encouragement is a bit different and I need to speak to you from my heart. Lambchow is called to meet the spiritual needs of people. Yet, several times a week we receive emails requesting Bibles, printed books, and financial support. We feel honored to receive those requests, but we are also saddened because they are outside of our calling and abilities.
A week or so ago we received a different email request. The sender asked how to donate to Lambchow. From our beginning seven years ago and after nearly a million sent emails no one except this one person has emailed me that question. Not surprising since we don’t solicit donations. In fact, Lambchow is not monetized in any way. Lambchow has a small budget that is provided for by my own wages, monthly support from The Vineyard Church Peoria, and an ad grant from Google.
That one email blessed me but also created a conflict. That conflict was how could we accept money from a region where there is so much need? I also wondered if this is the beginning of something new? I think it is, although not in the way you may presume. You see while thanking the person for their desire to give, I also suggested that they use the money to meet a need in their community instead of sending it to us. To literally feed the poor, help fix a roof, or support a local ministry doing those things in their community.
Those physical needs are real. But Lambchow’s purpose is to meet a greater spiritual need. That is why we don’t charge for any of our Bible studies, articles, subscriptions, or emails. Everything we publish online is freely given with a wide invitation to reprint and share so long as it is offered without cost.
If you are one of Lambchow’s regular readers I’d like you to consider something. Hopefully, we have in some way impacted your life and your walk with Christ. Maybe you’ve wondered how to support Lambchow but never asked. Maybe it never crossed your mind. Here’s my suggestion – I’d like you to consider starting a Lambchow fund as part of your budget. Pray about it and put into that fund whatever seems fair. Then use those funds to meet needs in your local community. In a way, we’ll be giving to those needs through you.
If you do adopt this suggestion I’d love to hear about it. Email me at dale@lambchow.com. Thank you for allowing me this moment apart from our usual devotional/encouraging articles.
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