Unfortunately, in today’s world we have become used to people of “less than sterling repute” trying to scam us in very inventive ways. Different tactics are used for different demographics.  One that has been going around in the past year or so is the scam of trying to get you to reveal the login information to your bank account. After you do, your account is cleaned out and you are left holding an empty bag. And, of course, we have all been told that some barrister in Nigeria is holding a very large sum of money for you which came to him by way of a very wealthy client who had no heir. This benevolent soul just wants to help you out. Of course, after you tell him where to deposit the check with, of course, your bank and login information, your account is promptly cleaned out.

Of course, individuals are not the only targets for these scam artists, and not all scams come over the internet. Churches are especially vulnerable to scams just because of the benevolent nature of the organizations. Besides bringing the Good News to the world, churches have historically been the dispensers of charity to those in need. Because of the charitable nature of churches they will be hit by such scams as the pastor who walks in off the street with a very big cross hanging around his neck asking for money to assist in getting his ministry off the ground (true event), or the man who comes in to the office to ask for money to feed his starving family. Of course when one of the pastoral staff offers to take him to the grocery store and buy some food for the pleading man, he somehow disappears.

Please do not misunderstand me; this is not to say that no charity is legitimate. In El Paso County, Colorado, fully 10% of the residents, over 56,000 people, are on some form of food assistance as of this writing.  There is a great need for charity. However, churches need to be weary of those folks walking in off the street seeking a handout. They may be truly in need but that is where the church must exercise due diligence with such questions as:

• Can I take you to buy some groceries?
• Maybe we can work with you and your landlord to work out a payment plan for your rent.
• Can we work out some arrangement with the bus company to make sure that you get to work?

People who are truly in need and come to a church for assistance will be more than happy to allow direct help in the form of groceries, bus passes, etc. Being a charitable organization can often require those in charge of benevolent funds to walk a very fine line.