There is a technique I have noticed, that many from other countries use to seduce little old ladies like myself into giving money to them. Beware of these wolves, here are some of their tactics.
1. They begin their chat or conversation with you privately. In that private chat they ask you what you do, then they ask you to tell them all about yourself. This opens the door for them to tell you all about themselves.
2. In the process of telling you all about them, they share that they are either going to school and don't have enough money to go OR they tell you they have a family that rescues children from the street, which they call an orphanage. They need money for the children.
3. They commend you for your life, if you tell them something they can praise, then they ask if they can call you "Mom" or "Mummy."
4. The next thing they do is flatter you with language like, "beautiful sister" or "gracious woman of God."
5. After all this they begin to beg for money. They usually send a few pictures of the children they are supporting, interestingly enough, these children are dressed in fine clothing looking clean and well fed.
6. When you bring up anything about the Lord, they say "that's good" or some other word or phrase to make you think they are interested, but have no response of their own about the Lord.
7. When asked questions about their walk with Christ, they will tell you they love the Lord, but have nothing else to say, no wisdom, no Bible verses and no interest. Their words revert back to their orphanage or college need as soon as they can maneuver the conversation back to it.
8. If you stall long enough they will come right out and ask you if you could help them with money. When you respond to them by saying you will pray for them, they thank you and ask for money again.
I have made a policy never to give to foreign missions that have not been introduced to me by someone I have personally known, someone who has actually seen the operation.
If the Lord is leading you to give to missions it will be without them asking for it.
I am the "George Muller" sort of Christian, I am convinced that if we have a need we should remain silent and just ask God. Then when the help comes, we would know it was from Him.
Begging for money shows a lack of faith. Telling a believer close to you a need for prayer is one thing, and very different, but contacting strangers to give to a ministry they know nothing about is obnoxious at best.
God never told us to foot the bill for ministries simply because they ask. We are to be discerning and prayerful about those to whom we donate. God can warn us if we ask Him, whether or not a ministry is a real ministry or just a scam.
The internet is a breeding ground for all kinds of vermin. Those who are not doing what they claim, but have found a way to bilk kind hearted people out of their funds that are designated to God for real ministries.
May the Lord bless you with wisdom and discernment before handing over money to strangers.
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