Just since Dec. 1, 2024 we have received 662 letters asking for money. Some were willing to accept $ 6,500 if we would send it. Those nauseating pleas arrive, two hands full a day. Everybody has a cause and they want us to be a part of it, at least the giving part. It appears to be one big push to plead for money. Now, it is not that there aren’t any legitimate needs but too much and too many, are a turn-off to all of them. There are pictures of animals, older people and today, a letter wanted me to be a protector of Israel; would I please give one hundred dollars! One plea lifts up cancer in children, in adults too, heart diseases, political needs also beg for our money. These appeals seem to come so fast that each need wants our attention first. The messages are designed to get our attention before others. They are cleverly written to prey on our conscience. For my peace of mind, they all wound up in the wastebasket today. In Jesus’ beatitudes, He was pretty clear that the “well-off” should help those who need help: within reason. We are not expected to place our family in jeopardy, giving more than we can. Jesus told Christians to help where we can. His last statement in Matthew 28:18-20 is to take the message of God to all the world. If our generation refuses to speak his truth, future generations cannot hear the Gospel. The only clear statement is that Jesus is the focus of the world and the world needs to hear the Good News of the Gospel. There is only one God and one way to salvation. Jesus took on the cross for our sake. When you answer those annoying letters, add a little bit of scripture how you believe.