right around christmas time it seems to stir in us a sense to give. give gifts, give christmas cards and give to an organization or charity. but it has been brought to recent attention that giving is something that should be done year round.
than i had another thought... who do i give to?
a fews years back i would have taken the popular, "i'm not going to give money to that homeless guy, he's just going to by booze or drugs!" or "i'm not giving money to someone who is just lazy!" route, but in talking with my humbling, loving wife, my view of giving has changed. she asked whether God cares more about the fact that we give rather than what the person does with the money.
you see, when jesus talks about giving to the poor he doesn't ask us to decide what they do with that money... obviously, we would hope that it is put towards something productive and useful... but i think jesus cares more about the fact that our hearts are open and willing to give to that person in need and allow them the freedom to make that choice.
my heart has been changed on the concept of giving and how i give and whom i give to and i hope that you are challenged by this thought enough to ask questions and begin a discussion in an attempt to know our Creator a little bit more.
let me know.
3 comments:
I don't think it is an either or situation. Yes, I think Jesus would want us to give open and willingly. But he also wouldn't give a drunk ten bucks if he knew the guy was going to go by a drink.
If we are to love people with agape love, meaning loving them with their best interest in mind, the most loving thing might be to not give that person money. Rather, the most love we can show that person might be by financially backing programs that responsibly and lovingly help these people actually have a future. Also, I think a lot of time we feel good about giving a homeless person a buck, or at least it stalls the guilt, but in reality we're just doing it to make ourselves feel good. If we really want to impact people's lives for good we need to be willing to invest money and time into personal relationships with others. We need to be willing to spend time with them. Jesus never gave anyone money in the Gospels. He gave more: he gave his time, his attention, his acceptance, and his love.
well said blake. i agree.
I agree that we need to give with their best interest in mind. I also try to judge each situation differently.
Situation...what a terrible way to put it...
Anyway, yes someone on the side of the street, I would rather give to an organization like Habitat for Humanity or street ministry or a food bank. Actually, I try to keep granola bars and such in my car and give that instead.
And I have had positive experiences giving money to people on the side of the street. When I was working at 1st pres, I would see this old man begging at the freeway offramp every day. One day I gave him some money and the next day I saw him with a new yellow rain coat. No, his life didn't change dramatically, but I believe he was more comfortable.
And that's not to make me feel better, I often feel like there is not enough I can do let alone that to make me feel better.
Giving time would be better.
Also, whenever people want to repay, I tell them that next time they are at church, to put it in as a tithe. For me, it gives me hope that they will enter a church and have a better understanding of what a tithe is.
A tithe to me is taking the money/resources that God gave me and using it to further His kingdom. And the church does that, but I also keep my eyes open for places outside the church where I can tithe to people.
I don't know if this came out right, but I'm not going to go back and check either. There you go, Jen unfiltered.
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