What Are You Going to Do?Sýnishorn

What are you going to do when your opportunities increase?

“We’re moving too quickly,” Doc told Everett.

Gus “Doc” Hemwell—Everett Swanson’s physician, friend and supporter—was right. While 1951 saw Everett taking his first trip to South Korea, by 1959 God had opened the doors for ESEA to support 48 orphanages filled with war orphans and other children in desperate need.

People from all over the United States and Canada were sending in a few dollars every month to sponsor South Korean orphans. Some sent single gifts of hundreds of dollars. Some sent thousands. The orphanages used these donations to provide food, clothing, and shelter along with both a scholastic and a biblical education.

Second Corinthians 8:20-21 became a foundational verse for the handling of each donation: “We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.”

Everett Swanson never wanted to lose sight of the ministry’s commitment to financial integrity. This was God’s work, and God’s people were so generous. Everett wanted all donations to be handled and distributed faithfully and transparently. Sponsors should be able to see where every dollar was going—from stamps and newsletters to food and clothing to staff and teachers.

ESEA added a board of directors, office staff, and a CPA. A South Korean national became a key translator and ministry partner. South Koreans led and taught in the orphanages, and a South Korea-based office was established to centralize accountability and to reinforce the dedication of the Korean people to caring for their orphaned children.

Along with this financial and administrative integrity, Everett began to think about the international organization’s name and about linking it to a single concept. What was at the center of ESEA’s mission? It wasn’t just about empathizing with others. It was about being moved to act. It was about compassion. Everett didn’t know it, but Compassion International would eventually gain world-wide recognition and help more than two million children in need.

YOUR TURN:

• One of the Bible passages that inspired Everett (2 Cor. 8:20, 21) talks about doing “what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” Why do you think “doing right” is separated into these two categories?
• If someone audited your household budget, would you be surprised about how and where your family spends money? Where would charitable giving show up in your budget?