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“You should see the mansions they live in. And the cars they drive—all BMWs and Rolls Royces!” The Romanian pastor was describing some Christian leaders in his country. The Westerners who subsidized their lifestyle were stupid and blind, he declared. They didn’t have a clue what was really happening with their money.

Mention the word “subsidy” in some missions and church circles, especially in the West, and hackles begin to rise and horror stories burst to the surface. Yes, subsidies given by a donor to a ministry in a faraway country may be abused. But does the problem lie with the concept of subsidizing a ministry, or the way we sometimes go about it?

Most ministries, even in wealthy countries like the US, are subsidized by donors, and abuses do occur. Yet we continue to subsidize American ministries. What is a donation, after all, if not a form of subsidy?

Over the years, largely as a result of high-profile scandals, many American groups that depend on donations have opened their financial books to a certain amount of public scrutiny. Some even join associations that demand at least a basic level of financial accountability. Yet how many of their donors—especially small donors—really take the time to review all the pertinent information or ask the sticky questions?

The same is often true of those who subsidize ministries in distant countries. The ministry’s representative on his or her tour of North America is visionary, convincing and charismatic. Wouldn’t it be an insult to ask questions or demand proofs? And anyway, it isn’t such a large amount of money. Does it really matter?

Responsible donors may contact one of many Western agencies that specialize in helping to channel funds to worthy foreign ministries. These agencies know their overseas constituents, and they require financial accounting for funds donated through their auspices. Those who give through such groups are assured their gifts will be properly used.

Yet not every worthy overseas ministry belongs to such a group. So how does a donor give wisely so that funds go only to those groups with proven worthiness and reliable accounting systems?

For churches or groups that provide most of the receiving ministry’s funds, another word may apply: partnership.

In his excellent book Global Partnerships: The Third Paradigm in Missions, Hank Paulson, president of New Hope International, outlines seven principles of effective partnership, including both parties’ commitments to following Christ’s lordship, mutual respect and mutual accountability. The foreign partner should help build and strengthen local accountability systems so that the local group is responsible not only to a foreign partner, but to the church, denomination or national board of directors. Partnership, he says, should be long-term and should foster unity and respect within the local culture.

All this takes time, energy and commitment. Many donors are too lazy, careless or simply too busy to enter into a true partner relationship. When this happens, the relationship suffers. The donor’s disregard hinders the ministry’s potential impact, and the door opens to abuse on both sides.

The neglected recipient may be tempted to misuse or redirect funds donated for a specific purpose. A negligent donor who hasn’t taken time to understand and “own” the ministry’s goals may lose interest. When another more enticing ministry comes along, he or she may suddenly redirect the funds, plunging the presumed “partner” into crisis.

But what about churches, groups and individuals who donate smaller amounts to a ministry abroad that’s operated by local Christians? Obviously, an overseas ministry can have only a limited number of highly involved partners. Nevertheless, any good steward of God-given resources must see that even small donations are properly invested in the kingdom of God.

One answer is to focus giving on ministries with which we can maintain a relationship, rather than sprinkling small donations on dozens of ministries with which we have only nominal contact.

Giving responsibly to God’s work in a foreign country can be difficult. If you are not familiar with the country and projects there, how do you measure a ministry’s impact?

Potential donors should at least ask for references from a group with which they are not familiar. The potential donor also may contact other groups that have already been working in the country to learn about the local situation and the ministry itself.

This takes time and effort. It doesn’t fit what is often our “seat of the pants” approach to giving. Yet for the sake of both donor and recipient, it may be time to take seriously the duty of sharing resources. It’s time to give the word “subsidy” a new, more positive and dignified meaning.

Sharon Mumper directs the Magazine Training Institute (MTI) from Austria (www.magazinetraining.com). MTI equips Christian magazine publishers in East-Central Europe and Asia.