Please Fund ME!

Okay, I understand the idea behind funding campaigns. Some people are in dire need, and friends want to help out. Many of the causes are excellent, and my husband and I have sometimes given through funding sites.

But now, there's a trend to fund yourself—or your favorite charity.

It makes me want to hang out my own shingle:

Please fund ME.

I want to take a trip to Venice.

Please give an extra $100 

so I can hire a singing gondolier.

Of course, it's only in my dreams, and I would never do that to my friends.

But, others do.

Instead of birthday gifts, please send money to this cause. The motivation is honorable, but was I really going to send you a birthday gift in the first place? I mean, we do send gifts to close family, but we draw a line. We don't have the means to give to everyone on our social media feed—or support everyone's pet causes—even though they're good ones. It makes me wonder if a simple Happy Birthday wish will even be appreciated, if I don't contribute as well. I'm not sure.

Similar requests—at least in my mind—are "Vote for my niece Charlie's photo." Isn't she cute? No doubt, Charlie's the cutest kid out there, but don't ask me to vote for Charlie when there are several hundred other kids competing … and not one of them is my grandchild!

The truth is, there are some urgent needs, and it's wonderful when a friend sets up a funding account for people who are in extraordinary circumstances.

But, your relative's wanting to go on a trip usually isn't a dire need. Your wanting to do something special—like my imaginary trip to Venice—isn't either. Good charities have their own funding websites, so it's not necessary for you to set one up for your birthday. It's not best to have random people give to your church, either. (Biblically, the church is supported by its members' tithes and offerings.)

When I was younger, if a young person wanted to do something—granted, he never dreamed of a trip to Australia—he mowed lawns, washed cars with his friends, and did odd jobs. He worked for it. He saved up his money. Two of our young relatives visited us in Spain this year. They had worked, sacrificed, and saved so they could tour Europe. We're proud of them.

So, why am I writing this post? Merely to make you think.

If you can help someone with a serious need, do it! If it's some crazy woman's dream of Venice (Ha ha!) or a teen's trip to Australia, forget it. Let them work, personally fundraise, and save for those things. I guarantee they'll appreciate them more. If I ever get to Venice.... As a final note, I won't ask you to vote for my grandchildren's pictures. That's a promise.

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,

when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

 (Proverbs 3:27)

But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:19)