Here are the five tenets of our belief with regard to giving:
#1 - All Provision Comes From God
At WKM, we believe that all provision comes from God.
God is both the giver and sustainer of life. He also raises ministries up and blesses them by sustaining their growth and maintaining their strength. The Apostle Paul charged the rich not “to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).
The psalmist reminds us that “He provides food for those who fear Him” (Psalm 111:5). And in faith, Abraham took Isaac to Mount Moriah believing that “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8). And when God did, Abraham “called the name of that place, ‘The Lord will provide’” (Genesis 22:14).
We believe that the same God who has provided for His people and His work throughout history will provide for His work today.
#2 - God Provides Through His People
At WKM, we believe God most often provides through His people.
The Bible is filled with examples of how God used His people to provide for His work. When David had to flee Jerusalem because of Absalom’s rebellion, as he came to the River Jordan he met Barzillai who “provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim” (2 Samuel 19:32). Barzillai gave David and his family food, clothing, shelter, money–essentially everything they needed.
But when Absalom was killed and David was returning to his palace, the King said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will provide for you with me in Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 19:33). God intended for His people to provide for each other.
That’s why Luke 8:3 prominently mentions “Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them [Jesus and His disciples] out of their means.” God pairs His servants with His providers because He knows neither can be successful alone.
#3 - God Motivates His Donors
At WKM, we believe God provides the right motivation for His donors.
God never wants a donor to be coerced to give. That’s not His way. Paul taught this in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Paul practiced what he preached.
In that tiny letter of Philemon Paul was writing to a Christian landowner about taking back his runaway slave, Onesimus. What Paul actually wanted was for Philemon to forgive his slave and then “donate” him to Paul’s ministry. But Paul didn’t want to compel Philemon. Instead, verse 14 says, “I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.”
And later in the same letter the apostle wrote, “Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ” (v. 20). You are correct; this is the first ‘appeal letter’ in the history of the church. Paul is appealing to Philemon to “benefit” his on-going ministry, both financially and with the donation of a good worker, Onesimus. Paul wanted his Christian brother to give substantially, but with the right motivation.
#4 - God Motivates His Servants
At WKM, we believe God provides the right motivation for His servants.
Motivation goes both ways. God wants the provider to give with a cheerful heart, with a spiritual motivation, not with a “give something to get something” mentality. But God also wants His servants, those who rely on the generosity of the giver, to receive His provision with the right motivation.
At WKM, the bottom line is important; we must be proper stewards of the resources God entrusts to us. But equally important is the motivation with which we invite you to give. Paul wrote to the Philippians and said: “You Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit” (Philippians 4:15-17).
At WKM, we want you to enjoy the rewards of our labors just as we do. For WKM, the bottom line is not the bottom line; changed lives is, and you will be a part of that.
#5 - God Pairs Donors and Servants
At WKM, we believe God pairs donors and servants and blends their hearts.
We all receive a lot of mail asking for help. The problem is most letters we receive are from reputable organizations or charities that do good work. We’d love to give to all of them, but we can’t. So how does a donor know to whom he or she should give? Follow your heart.
God puts partners together. Some are on the front lines in the heat of the battle; others are in the supply line making sure that the troops have everything they need to fight valiantly. The question is not who is more important. The question is what would happen if either the donor or the servant failed in his or her God-ordained role. The war would be lost.
So join the supply line of the military unit that God impresses upon your heart. Give due diligence to the servant’s integrity, loyalty to the Command-in-Chief, their combat skills and whether or not they are fighting a battle in which your heart beats with their heart.