Life Indeed Ministries
'cause you're not really living the good life, if you're not doing some good!
"Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed." 1 Timothy 6:17-19
The principals of Life Indeed Ministries, and our affiliates, have long engaged in a wide range of activities to empower individuals and communities, to do our part in making the world a better place. We join, encourage, and support the many worthwhile missions spreading the gospel to save the lost, poor, sick, hungry, homeless, incarcerated, addicted, children, the environment, etc. and to every country in the world.
However, we are not aware of any other church or charity serving this need or constituency, so we created Life Indeed Ministries. We invite others to join us. Our priorities and programs are somewhat unique and especially for such a time as this.
You will know them by their fruits,
Life Indeed Ministries is not unique because it financially supports other charities, but how it does it.
It's primarily designed to address the spiritual, mental, physical, and financial needs of a segment of society that is usually ignored by most - exploited by many- reviled by some as the primary cause of most of society's ills- and yet is probably prevalent in your community and probably in your very church.
In fact, it's ubiquitous. Many are unaware until it's too late. Odds are you, or someone close to you, is at risk or already struggling.
Life Indeed Ministries is a special outreach to those with truly extraordinary circumstances and that are “almost impossible” to reach.
If any group truly needs our compassion and help, it's the arrogant affluent that think their ungodly living is the best the good life has to offer, and perhaps even more so are the many of those striving to join them!
One hundred years from now,
It will not matter,
What kind of car I drove,
What kind of house I lived in,
How much I had in my bank,
Nor what my clothes looked like.
One hundred years from now,
The world may be ... a little better because...
I was important in the life of a child.
- Forest Whitcraft
They may try to tell the world and themselves they're blessed. But in reality they're enslaved to mammon, the flesh, and the pride of life. The ultimate result of their selfishness and greed; dysfunction and misery in this life and the next.
They're in the worst kind of abusive relationship. They may love the world, including the things in the world, but it doesn't love them.
Those enslaved by the lusts of the world, the so called “worldly wise and wealthy”, often referred to as the "rich and the worthless" both in and out of the Church - those that may be considered “rich” by the world’s standards but are actually ensnared by their possessions, passions, pleasures, prescriptions, and pride. Like a drug addict, they can never get enough and can often spiritually, mentally, and physically struggle if left left to their own. Their resources and pride can make them a difficult group to help.
...they bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”
One the primary objectives of Life Indeed Ministries is to empower, educate, and facilitate the wealthy to be better stewards - this certainly includes being more philanthropic and charitable.
Or much like the difference between giving a man a fish you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
Life Indeed Ministries can provide donors with more bang for their donation buck!
Any charitable donation is good. But these days, most donors want to maximize the benefits of their charitable donations.
A donation to Life Indeed Ministries that enables and provides donations from other wealthy donors, can easily produce, 30, 60, and even 100 fold!
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE
When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. Proverbs 29:2
Some may ask, is a special mission just for the wealthy really necessary? Well aside from scripture repeatedly outlining how the way one deals with money and the priority it has in one's life, it may well be a Heaven or Hell - eternal salvation issue for many. And how one thinks about - and what one is willing to do for money - can unfortunately make or break a life.
Furthermore, research shows the wealthy are different. They think differently, face different challenges and their resources can be a curse or a blessing. Thus they may require something different.
Don't forget, that wealthy people have significant sway over your well being and the quality of your life. From the politicians and their donors, to corporate leaders to entertainers. It's important that as much as possible they share your values and be of high moral character.
Unfortunately, the recent statistics on income and charity - especially high income earners and the wealthy - irrefutably demonstrate the need and time for such a ministry.
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that the greater the income, the smaller percentage of one's income is usually donated to charity.
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the belief in God also tends to decreases with income.
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the belief in God is also waning with many young adults.
A LIFE IN DEEDS, IS A LIFE INDEED
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, Hebrews 9:27
Whether you want to call it karma, or just reaping what you sow (Galatians 6:7), doing good deeds and being a better steward has all kinds both short and long term rewards. We would be remiss not to touch upon the long term rewards.
Comparing alternative short term to long term strategies, the economist John Keynes noted, "In the long run we're all dead." And the best understanding is that we will be dead for a long time!
What happens after death is a question as old as humanity. Many religions believe there's a judgment of the person and their deeds- with the resulting rewards or retribution as the case may be.
The predominant Christian belief is that everyone eventually dies and will ultimately face judgement for their deeds. Many profess there will be differing judgments and or perhaps more than one judgment. Most agree there will be different judgments: one for believing Christians and then a different judgment for those non Christians.
Ironically, both judgements will be judging the person's lifetime deeds, good, bad, or lack thereof.
For non Christians, its Revelation 20:11-15 ( with emphasis added)
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
For believing Christians, its 2 Corinthians 5:10 ( with emphasis added)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
But for Christians there is more. They will be held to a higher standard. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:48.
Christians for sure, and probably non believers as well, will be judged for their sins of omission. For all the opportunities they had to do good and help others when they had the chance and resources but for whatever reason chose to ignore their neighbors' need.
“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for Me, either.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:41-46
Consequently, for these reasons and many more, we are confident most will probably agree that the more good deeds, and the better stewardship, the better it is for everyone.
CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP & THE ENVIRONMENT
Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. Genesis 2:15
Bill Maher seems to be correct. There does seem to be only two kinds of people.
Christian environmental stewardship also known as “Creation Care” is a well documented primary precept.
In fact, in many respects, one could even say that original sin was an environmental sin, since Adam was told, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)
We all know how well that worked out.
Recently in many circles, allegations of idolatry are increasing as some are effectively worshiping the creation ahead of the Creator. Others are calling to put what they perceive to be the best interests of the environment ahead of what would be in the best interests of the poor. Some even go so far as to propose limiting the human population as the preferred solution to climate concerns.
But regardless of where one falls on the climate crisis spectrum, it's largely unquestioned that the lifestyle and financial resources of the world's wealthiest people, in the wealthiest countries, result in more energy consumed, more fossil fuels burned, and the overwhelmingly disproportionate majority of green house gasses emitted.
The other area of overwhelming consensus is that some of the loudest climate activists are also some of the world's wealthiest, most powerful politicians, famous celebrities and some of the biggest hypocrites and contributors to global green house gasses.
As per The Washington Post, THE WORLDS RICHEST NEED TO CUT THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT BY A FACTOR OF 30 TO SLOW CLIMATE CHANGE, UN WARNS: "Currently, the emissions attributable to the richest 1 percent of the global population account for more than double of the poorest 50 percent. Shifting the balance, researchers found, will require swift and substantial lifestyle changes, including decrease in air travel, a rapid embrace of renewable energy and electric vehicles, and better public planning to encourage walking bicycling and public transit."
Comedian Bill Maher is no friend of religion. He has described his views at various times as agnostic, atheist, and apatheist. Nevertheless he seems to be spot on when he declares that just asking people to "be good" when it comes to climate issues doesn't work and is borderline insane. He astutely observes, "There are two kinds of people in the world; those that fly private, and those who would if they could."
Regardless of how much of a climate crisis true believer they may be publicly, efforts to persuade most people to significantly change their lifestyles - give up their comfort and convenience, much less their boats, jets, excessive consumption etc. and reduce their carbon footprint to levels they profess is necessary for society to survive only exposes the corruption and futility.
The climate hypocrisy to date is well documented. Actions certainly do speak louder than words. It's almost as if no one, not even the policy makers, really believe in a climate emergency.
Bill Maher is correct. Continuing to just ask the wealthy to "be good stewards" isn't the answer.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Interesting Volunteer Opportunities
"As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10)
OUTREACH
CHARITY
EDUCATION
Whatever your special gift, we hope you will consider this opportunity to maximize your gift by joining with us in creating a uniquely novel and significant, lasting and meaningful transformation in the lives of so many.
Weather you consider yourself particularly religious or wealthy is a separate question, but you're probably richer in many ways than you may think. You can certainly live like it.
Life Indeed Ministries helps everyone Live The Good Life. Consequently, you can have a much greater impact than you may realize.
Not only can we help most to maximize their talents and blessings, keep in mind that by helping Life Indeed Ministries to reach out to some of the wealthiest and helping them to become better stewards and more charitable, you can unlock many more resources for charitable purposes.
While all individual donations to Life Indeed Ministries are important, they also can have the added benefit of leveraging your gifts to reach some of the wealthiest.
For example, you never know when a relative small donation from one person, may well result in a catalyst that changes the heart for others that are much more wealthy and result in much larger donations from others. It's hard to tell what may be reaped from small beginnings.
And as you might say, the best way to reach the Church at Laodicea...... is to go to Laodicea.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS WITH SPECIAL PURPOSE
Reaching the wealthy is fraught with special challenges: personal, physical, mental, and spiritual. This can often require special programs to overcome those unique challenges.
Life Indeed Ministries will be constantly on the look out for new opportunities to better serve.
WARNINGS OF WEALTH WITHOUT WORKS
"They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." Titus 1:16
Scripture is replete with the consequences of greed and selfishness: from the rich young ruler to the final judgment. Many are well known, others perhaps not so much. Here are just a few:
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“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:24
And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” Luke 18: 24-27
But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 1John 3:17
What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? James 2: 14-20
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. James 5:1-5
Yet, the statistics are irrefutable, even with professing Christians. With few exceptions, the higher the income generally the less charitable as a percent of that income. Which then begs the question, " Who then is "rich" according to scripture?"
WHAT IS "BIBLICALLY" RICH? WHO'S AT RISK?
So what does it take to be rich or serving mammon according to scripture? Could you have family and friends at risk without really knowing it? Could you be the "rich" that the Bible talks about? It depends on the definition of rich and wealth. God's definition.
A recent survey found that only 13% of millionaires thought of themselves as rich. The web sites World Inequality Database and Giving What We Can are two examples of calculators for both income and wealth comparing yourself to others in the world - not just other Americans.
Many are surprised to learn how little it takes to be one of the wealthiest in world. But why limit the comparison to modern times? Clearly, someone currently receiving public assistance, living below the American poverty level can receive about $4,000, month. Not only do even the poorest of Americans live better than 75% of the rest of the world today, but their living standard is far superior to even kings of earlier times.
FAITH WORKS IN DEEDS.
And The More, The Better For Everyone
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
It's probably prudent to take a moment to explain what we are and are not. While we have our individual private positions, Life Indeed Ministries does not take an official position on the faith, works, salvation, justification debates as reasonable minds, maturity levels, and faith walks, can disagree and even evolve their positions as understanding increases. There are others better equipped to address those questions.
That said, we think most can agree that generally speaking, the more good deeds that are done, the better for everyone- and on many levels: physical, mental, and spiritual.
In that regard we take much of our guidance from the parable of THE GOOD SAMARITAN. Not only has it become ubiquitous in both Christian and secular culture, but it is particularly instructive.
In Luke: 10:25-37; Jesus, when asked, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" includes the parable of THE GOOD SAMARITAN in his answer to demonstrate what it means to love your neighbor as yourself, closing with "Go, and do the same."
Interesting to note for what it's worth; the direct instruction from Jesus for eternal life includes what to do, not just what to believe.
THE MISSION
Do we love our rich neighbors as we love ourselves? Interestingly, in The Parable Of The Good Samaritan, the victim was likely to have been wealthy- at least wealthy enough to have attracted the attention of robbers.
Ironically, while many willingly sacrifice everything for fame and fortune- their children, spouses, health, etc. others blame the rich for most of our social ills. Our increasingly covetous, secular, materialistic society seems to have little sympathy for the spiritual well being or the eternal consequences for our wealthy neighbors.
Rather than viewed with compassion, the affluent are more often viewed by many simply as resources to be exploited, their personal life struggles – just entertainment. When tragedy strikes, many believe the wealthy are just reaping what they sowed.
Life Indeed as an advocate for the affluent seeks to help free the rich from the love of money – taking their wealth to the next level- to be rich in good works- so they may prosper in all things just as their soul prospers. It's part of our mission to facilitate the stewardship of the “wealthy” including those already in the Church and as a new outreach program to reach the wealthy that are not in the Church.
A Christian missionary outreach designed specifically for the wealthy, that speaks their language.
How can Life Indeed Ministries access the “rich” that usually are so difficult to reach and how is it different from other programs?
On any mission to reach the lost, it is necessary to “speak their local language” or contextualize the message. We use the language of the wealthy to reach the wealthy. It’s been said that “Money talks, but wealth whispers.” We agree. We find many of the “worldly wise”; “the rich and successful” that would never go to a church or are otherwise “too busy” pursuing the lusts of the world, will gladly find the time to meet somewhere else, on a yacht for example!
Thus, to dispel any preconceived misplaced apprehensions or concerns about “Christians” and the “Church” - especially for those that may not have a regular access to a sound Christian support group or grew up in such a setting, we use the trappings of the affluent as ministry tools to access the rich in comfortable non threatening recreational environments in which they – the wealthy – aspire to or are accustomed.
WHY A SPECIAL MISSION FOR THE WEALTHY?
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, will I spit you out of My mouth. ‘Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. “Revelation 3:15-18
Jesus warned extensively of the dangers of trying to serve two masters. For the lost, sick, hungry, in prison, addicted to drugs and alcohol, etc, there are numerous missions seeking to help them, but not many, if any designed for the wealthy, ensnared by their possession, addicted to their success.
Many scriptures admonishing the wealthy are well known to both Christians and non Christians alike such as: James 5:1-4 “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire.” and 1John 3:17 “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?”
However, in this increasingly affluent secular materialistic society, is there a more disturbing scripture than Matthew 19: 23-24, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven? And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”?
Yet the affluent with their unique burdens, temptations, and struggles, are rarely looked upon with sympathy or as possibly needing our help.
However those ensnared by their pride, fame, fortune, wealth, are usually blinded by their worldly success -“you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” They can be especially skeptical and suspicious of someone trying to “help them” as almost everyone in their lives wants something from them. Besides from their worldly view point, they think they “have the world by the tail” and don’t need any help. The affluent are often surround by sycophants and have no one willing to tell them the truth. As such they may never realize their peril – or not until it’s too late!
So just as Jesus made a special direct effort in Luke 19 to personally reach out in a one on one effort to save a rich tax collector Zaccheus, Life Indeed is an outreach designed especially for the “worldly” wise and wealthy, the affluent who often require personal - one on one attention.
Our mission is to seek and save that which was lost and then to help the affluent be wise stewards of their blessings and lead balanced productive lives and to prosper – just as their soul prospers. And as per Revelation 3, this is a problem both in and out of the church.
Life Indeed helps obtain resources necessary to penetrate the common fallacy of the affluent: “that being rich, they don’t have any needs as their lives are already “complete”.
Ironically, it’s well established the relationship between material gain and emotional welfare often seems to be inverse. Even the ancient Greeks learned this from their myth of King Midas who recognized his infamous “golden touch” was actually a curse after it turned his food, drink, even his daughter into gold.
Research on human happiness and contentment reveals that after someone wins the lottery, they are only “happier” for about six months. After the euphoria wears off - they are no happier than before they won the lottery. In fact many are less so.
Even very rich people--the Forbes' 100 wealthiest Americans are only slightly “happier” than average Americans. With net worths exceeding $100 million, providing ample money to buy things they don't need and hardly care about, 80 % agreed that "money can increase OR decrease happiness, depending on how it is used." And some were indeed unhappy.
One fabulously wealthy man could never remember being happy. A woman reported that money could not undo the misery caused by her children's problems. Thus, it’s no surprise research shows the wealthy are up to three times more likely to kill themselves than those with less money.
In fact it’s common that after achieving a certain level of financial success, eventually for an empty feeling, depression, or a sense of restlessness to be expressed by excessive risky, unhealthy pursuits including but certainly not limited to substance abuse and promiscuity.
Is there a more compelling cry for a personal relationship with Jesus?
Yet too often the “Church” and “Christians” fall silent.
Many believe the affluent are simply reaping what they sowed. No doubt that the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil and much harm has been done in the unrighteous pursuit of mammon.
Mistakenly though many seem to think all wealth is ill-gotten. Besides - the wealthy can “afford it” as evidenced by an increasingly disproportionate tax burden. In the U S, the top 50% of income earners pay 97% of the income tax. The top 5% of earners pay 60% of all taxes while the top 1% earns only 19.6% of the income yet pay about 41% of all the taxes.
All have received special gifts, some a special blessing to make money. In fact, it is God that gives us the power to make us rich. Wealth if used properly as intended, is a blessing and a force for good. But rather than use their gifts and blessings for the benefit others (1Peter 4:10), many are seduced by the temptations and are ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
Being ensnared by wealth is really just another form of idolatry. It seems to have much in common with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Just as drugs and alcohol if abused can cause undesirable and destructive behavior temporarily deceiving an addict from the realities of their actions, so can fame, wealth, success, deceive the affluent!
However the improper use of wealth can be much more devastating. While the abuse of both drugs and wealth can be catastrophic to the individual, their family, and to society - the misuse of wealth and idolatry can have eternal consequences.
Life Indeed is necessary because society tends to look the other way when the wealthy need help - often with unfortunate results. The news is filled with the numerous personal tragedies of many wealthy, famous, and successful athletes, entertainers, politicians, business professionals and celebrities that are surrounded by “yes” men. However, these are just the travails of the famous that we hear about.
Unfortunately, even just the “marginally” affluent in our neighborhoods, churches and companies, have friends, family, business and spiritual advisors that are equally financially dependent on them. Thus too few of these “confidants” are willing to tell them the truth and potentially jeopardize their financial relationship.
It may be because they don’t know the truth themselves or they are afraid of losing their “gravy train”.
Many modern churches and “Christians” may tolerate “inappropriate behavior” from the “wealthy” in the congregations for fear of aliening potential donors. Unfortunately for many of the affluent, they lack anyone around them willing to jeopardize the income derived from their relationship with the affluent by speaking “tough love” for the true spiritual benefit of the wealthy. Such failure to correct these lost is not scriptural and is a disservice.
With their wealth, many actually purchase legions of “gatekeepers” to insulate them from truth – at least for a while. With these literal and figurative “gated communities”, it often takes special programs and efforts to reach them.
Life Indeed Ministries with your help may be the only voice of truth available to many of them. So if not you – who? If not your church – where? If not now – when?
WAYS WE HELP
The Focus of Our Efforts
OUTREACH
CHARITY
EDUCATION
DONATE & VOLUNTEER
We invite your support as a Donor, Volunteer and / or both. Life Indeed Ministries is in the process of securing it's tax exempt status as a 501c(3) non profit charity so donations will be fully deductible as charitable contributions. Please use this form or the Contact form and we will follow up to explore the options.