If your question isn't here, ask us directly — we'd rather over-answer than leave you wondering.
No — not at this time, and we want to be completely upfront about that. Idol Wealth is currently a private initiative, not yet a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so contributions made through us cannot be claimed as charitable deductions. Formal nonprofit status is planned, and when it's granted we'll announce it clearly on this site. (Note: the receiving ministry gets the donation from us, so even their nonprofit status doesn't make your shipment deductible for you.)
We retain 20% of net proceeds — a standard administrative rate — to cover receiving, assessment, secure handling, refining, and administration. The remaining 80% is donated to the 501(c)(3) ministry you designate, and you receive written confirmation of the exact amount and recipient. If refining or selling costs are deducted by third parties (e.g., refiner's assay fee), those appear itemized in your confirmation — never hidden in our fee.
Use USPS Registered Mail with insurance — it's the most secure mail class available and the standard way gold and silver are shipped in the U.S., with chain-of-custody tracking and insurance up to $50,000. Double-box your items, pad them so nothing rattles, don't label the contents on the outside, and photograph everything before sealing the box. Full guidance is on the How It Works page.
Yes — that's the default. Designate any ministry you love on the Item Release Form: your church, a missions organization, a deliverance ministry. It must be a registered 501(c)(3) (you'll provide the name and EIN, which you can verify at apps.irs.gov/app/eos) so we can confirm the gift arrives where you intended. If you'd rather we choose, check the box on the form and we'll direct it to a vetted mission and tell you which one.
We tell you honestly, at no charge. You then choose: we can destroy and discard it reverently on your behalf, or (if you cover return postage) ship it back to you. We will never inflate a valuation, and we'll never quietly keep something we told you was worthless.
Up until the moment an item is melted or sold, yes — contact us and we'll return it at your shipping cost. After conversion, the item no longer exists in its original form and cannot be returned. We confirm by email before converting, so there's always a window to change your mind.
A fair question — this model only works on trust, so we've built verification into every step: photographic confirmation on arrival, a written valuation before anything is converted, and written confirmation of the donation amount and recipient ministry afterward. You're welcome to contact the receiving ministry to verify the gift. We're also working toward 501(c)(3) status, which will bring public financial reporting.
It depends on what it is. Idols, statues, occult emblems, and religious objects are always melted down — never resold intact, no matter their value. Coins, watches, and jewelry (items with no idolatrous form) are sold as-is by default, since they're worth far more intact than as scrap metal and the gift to missions is larger. Every item is prayed over and every curse broken before either happens. If you want everything you send destroyed regardless of resale value — coins and jewelry included — check that box on the release form and we'll honor it without exception.
You can — and for items with no real value, we encourage destroying them yourself as the Ephesians did (Acts 19:19). But for gold and silver, a landfill doesn't destroy the idol's form, and "the silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the LORD" (Haggai 2:8). Melting destroys the form completely and redeems the material for the Gospel. Read our full reasoning on Why Melt It Down.
Yes — over every single item, before anything else happens. Each item is prayed over in the name of Jesus, with all curses, dedications, and soul ties broken, and we pray for the sender by name. If you'd like us to pray with you about specific items or circumstances before you ship, say so on the release form — it would be our privilege.
We can't decide for you, and we won't pressure you. Pray, search Scripture (Deuteronomy 7:25–26, Acts 19:18–19, 1 John 5:21), and where possible talk with your pastor or a deliverance minister you trust. Romans 14:23 is our standard: if you can't keep it in faith and with peace, that's worth listening to. If you're unsure, email us a photo and the story — we'll give you an honest take, including "we don't think you need to send this."
“Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.”
Psalm 24:3–4