Okay to Venmo?

[JudyO]

Sometimes I read such heart-rending writings from the friends on this site. I feel powerless to help, especially if they live in another country. But sometimes I can help financially. You know, not a lot, but a little. Maybe even enough to make a difference?

 

My question is: what do you think about helping friends through online pay platforms like Venmo, Paypal, etc? 

I can see where it could have both pros and cons. But many advisers can help clarify even cloudy issues.

[Jim Jam]

What makes you think it's not okay ?

[jwhess]

1 hour ago, Jim Jam said:

What makes you think it's not okay ?

We have been instructed not to send money or supplies on an individual basis.  the recommendation was to send the contribution to the World Wide Work through JW.ORG and allow the organization to direct the funds to the appropriate spot.  Obviously, if you have a relative that you wish to give a gift to, that is up to you.  But to donate a sum of money to a troubled area is not advised.

 

*** mwb23 March p. 3 How to Help After a Disaster ***
"The brothers appointed by the branch can determine how much money and how many volunteers will be needed in the relief effort. They can also get acquainted with the local officials, who can often help us to expedite our relief efforts. So individuals should not take the initiative to collect funds, send relief supplies, or travel to the affected area unless they are asked to do so."
 

[Jim Jam]

20 minutes ago, jwhess said:

We have been instructed not to send money or supplies on an individual basis.  the recommendation was to send the contribution to the World Wide Work through JW.ORG and allow the organization to direct the funds to the appropriate spot.  Obviously, if you have a relative that you wish to give a gift to, that is up to you.  But to donate a sum of money to a troubled area is not advised.

 

*** mwb23 March p. 3 How to Help After a Disaster ***
"The brothers appointed by the branch can determine how much money and how many volunteers will be needed in the relief effort. They can also get acquainted with the local officials, who can often help us to expedite our relief efforts. So individuals should not take the initiative to collect funds, send relief supplies, or travel to the affected area unless they are asked to do so."
 

 

Sending money to a brother and collecting funds for disaster relief are two different things 

[jwhess]

51 minutes ago, Jim Jam said:

 

Sending money to a brother and collecting funds for disaster relief are two different things 

It was just an instruction not a complete coverage of the possibilities.  Each person has to do their own research.  Some countries forbid the foreign exchange coming into the country.  There are organized theft of money in transit. On and on and....check it out.

 

If you just pick an individual who lives in a needy area, what about the brother or sister who lives next door?  How much information can an individual gather to make the best use of the funds.  Don't Christ's brothers (FDS) have greater grasp of the need?  The recommendation was to send the funds to the WWW.

[JudyO]

I've heard the recommendations, and I respect all the reasoning that goes into them. 

But when a brother or sister on this platform has an obvious need, it's hard to just ignore it. I mean, Jehovah will take care of so many problems in a person's life, and I do value the power of prayer. However, aren't we sometimes the answer to prayers, too?

[dljbsp]

I think your desire to help is a good one. That is exactly the kind of concern Jehovah wants us to have for one another.

 

“Let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.” — Galatians 6:10

 

But good motives still need caution.

 

If we only know someone online, even on a forum like this, we may not really know their full situation. We may not know if the need is genuine, whether others are already helping, or whether their local elders are aware of the need.

 

That does not mean we ignore suffering. It means we try to help wisely.

 

If we personally know someone and can clearly see the need, that is different. But knowing someone only online is not a safe basis for sending money.

 

So yes, the desire to help is right. We just want our compassion to be guided by wisdom.