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**May 2025 Theme: God Did It**

I’ve been anticipating this theme for months. The backstory is that whenever I talk to people in need, they often say, "The government did it," pointing to how government assistance helps with food, housing, and more. I wanted to highlight the idea that it is truly “God Did It” in their lives. It’s about showing that divine intervention and support have a significant role in their stories, beyond just government assistance.

Someone asked me today why my organization uses funds to help people when there are numerous social programs provided by local, state, and federal governments. He pointed out that many churches and nonprofit organizations have diminished their charity work or community care programs. He argued that since we pay taxes that fund these social programs, what is the purpose of using donations for charity or community care when government programs exist? He makes a valid point, noting that churches and nonprofits typically allocate only about 3% of their budgets to charity or community care initiatives, with many organizations focusing their charity work internally, claiming it fulfills the biblical call to serve others. Let me explain the broader context of charity work and community care programs. The Emergency Relief Administration was initially established by President Hoover in 1932 to provide loans to states for relief programs. My wife reminds me that under President Roosevelt, Congress authorized the Federal Emergency Relief Act to support similar initiatives during FDR's first hundred days. These social programs were designed to relieve the burden on churches and organizations that actively helped people during the Great Depression. The first non-profit organization is often celebrated as a pioneer of modern philanthropy, dedicated to uplifting education, assisting veterans in the Southern states after the Civil War, and offering vital support to churches. The Tax Reform Act of 1969, with its defining "Section 501(c)(3)," laid the groundwork for countless non-profit organizations in the United States, inspiring a legacy of service and commitment to the greater good. The purpose behind the 501(c)(3) designation was to ensure that churches operate independently from government funding, honoring the vital principle of separation of church and state. This marked the beginning of faith-based organizations helping the churches to reach out to their communities while upholding the integrity of this important separation. Let the people witness the hand of God at work rather than the hand of the government. Read More Click Here