Giving

[Starise]

6 minutes ago, Marathoner said:

I don't discriminate, giving to any who ask as I am able. I remember how the Lord gives to me --- He has given everything to me --- without consideration of my worthiness. Christ has humbled me with His undying love, so it's an honor and joy to pass along that which He entrusted to me to others. I am but a steward of His provision, after all. What He has given to me is not mine to keep.  

I think I see your thoughts here @Marathoner which are good ones. I'm going to throw a few "what ifs" out there.

What if the person to whom you gave never goes away and keeps asking for more? Do we give indefinitely simply because they continue to ask or do we begin to question why their need never goes away?

What if " giving to any who ask as I am able" involves the support of a behavior, habit or lifestyle that is harmful to the recipient?

What if we gave everything we own away? Is this foolishness or wisdom?

[missmuffet]

17 minutes ago, Starise said:

And this is how the Salvation Army raises most of their funds. I think they are legit.I could be wrong. I remember hearing a person who represented the Salvation Army saying they were especially low on funds this years due to COVID and all of the people who are not working.

I was wondering if those guys with the buckets ringing bells at the stores were going to make much this year. I don't give to them because there have been several stories I have read where the person takes off with the money. I read that the owner of the Good will is a millionaire. Kind of ironic. I give but I give anonymously. I think that is the way our Lord wants us to give. 

[The_Patriot21]

41 minutes ago, Starise said:

You are very good at condensing the most important thoughts into a few sentences. I can only speak for myself, but I feel a little better if I know more about the thing I'm giving to so I guess I fall mainly into the second category. On some occasions though I remember doing some crazy things  I won't share here because it might sound like I'm tooting my horn. They were spur of the moment things with no real thought other than to do it. I didn't even know the persons.

I'm generally in that second category. I was in a grocery line the other day and the person in front of me was a little short. I offered to make up the difference for him and he would have none of it. " I was a union man and I always made good money." Then he gave the clerk a credit card. He seemed insulted that I would offer. I didn't expect the 5 minute description of his financial status lol. It was only a buck geesh! I would have probably reluctantly thanked the person and took it if it were me.

But, here is the question, if ita truly God leading you to give, what is more important, obedience or your peace of mind? Of course this only applies to Gods leading, and that is something only you know so its a question only you can answer. Anyway, just food for thought.

[missmuffet]

Jesus Christ- the reason for the season. That is it for me. 

[Starise]

35 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

I was wondering if those guys with the buckets ringing bells at the stores were going to make much this year. I don't give to them because there have been several stories I have read where the person takes off with the money. I read that the owner of the Good will is a millionaire. Kind of ironic. I give but I give anonymously. I think that is the way our Lord wants us to give. 

Could be. I always looked at toll booth operators the same way. They stopped taking tolls here after COVID. Now they look at your tag.

I believe those who might be up to something like this are not many if they are working for the Salvation Army. The thing is, we just don't know. If they are helping the poor then I sincerely hope they collect a lot. We have a place here called the Water St Rescue Mission and they help a lot of poor people similar to the Salvation Army. If I were down and out I would thank God for them.

22 minutes ago, The_Patriot21 said:

But, here is the question, if ita truly God leading you to give, what is more important, obedience or your peace of mind? Of course this only applies to Gods leading, and that is something only you know so its a question only you can answer. Anyway, just food for thought.

I'll be honest sometimes I need to determine if it's me just thinking about giving or if God is truly leading me to give. We could maybe say if we want to give who gives us the inclination? 

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

To give usually involves some kind of reasoning. Are we implying it can be judgmental to examine our giving? If we are giving, are we empowered to judge the recipient? or should we cast a blind eye and just throw the money out there?

 

[MrBear]

I too am cautious about charitable organizations they might only give 1% to the cause and pocket the rest we saw that wounded warriors charity got caught doing this and it’s a shame ?

what I used to do was take 20 dollars out of my check each week and break it into 5 ‘s then ride around to the poor sections of the city and give them out to homeless people

now I take a portion of my check and buy canned goods to put in this little community pantry 

it’s a small gesture on my part but it could mean the difference between a hungry child or a full stomach 

always pray Lord help this gift go to the people in need because you have blessed me make this a blessing for others

The amount doesn’t have to be much I don’t set a criteria, it’s what is in your heart when giving that counts to God our Father , even a kind gesture with love goes much farther than a big gesture hoping to get something back in return does to him.

Charities can be good but unfortunately a lot of these organizations have taken advantage of well intended people for financial gain so I would find something local like a food pantry or just giving a few dollars to a person in need ??

SHALOM❤️

[Starise]

5 minutes ago, MrBear said:

I too am cautious about charitable organizations they might only give 1% to the cause and pocket the rest we saw that wounded warriors charity got caught doing this and it’s a shame ?

what I used to do was take 20 dollars out of my check each week and break it into 5 ‘s then ride around to the poor sections of the city and give them out to homeless people

now I take a portion of my check and buy canned goods to put in this little community pantry 

it’s a small gesture on my part but it could mean the difference between a hungry child or a full stomach 

always pray Lord help this gift go to the people in need because you have blessed me make this a blessing for others

The amount doesn’t have to be much I don’t set a criteria, it’s what is in your heart when giving that counts to God our Father , even a kind gesture with love goes much farther than a big gesture hoping to get something back in return does to him.

Charities can be good but unfortunately a lot of these organizations have taken advantage of well intended people for financial gain so I would find something local like a food pantry or just giving a few dollars to a person in need ??

SHALOM❤️

These are wonderful ideas. 

I sense a spirit here critical to giving to some charities. I don't direct this at you but at the whole thread. I myself am also critical of giving to some ministries and charities so no finger pointing going on here. It just is what it is. 

Having said that, I mainly posted the OP to get ideas for how we can be better and more wise in giving. I think Christians should be known as givers, not stingy people. You gave some excellent alternatives to giving to large charities. 

First and foremost I think many of us are probably involved in helping our families in some way because they are our immediate family. Churches probably come next because they are the bastions of our communities, yet even here wisdom is required. The community often benefits from the church both spiritually and financially through programs that help others.

Direct community support as @MrBear mentioned through things like food pantries. Then there are those people we come into direct contact with that the Lord may lead us to help in some way.

Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

 

[The_Patriot21]

41 minutes ago, Starise said:

Could be. I always looked at toll booth operators the same way. They stopped taking tolls here after COVID. Now they look at your tag.

I believe those who might be up to something like this are not many if they are working for the Salvation Army. The thing is, we just don't know. If they are helping the poor then I sincerely hope they collect a lot. We have a place here called the Water St Rescue Mission and they help a lot of poor people similar to the Salvation Army. If I were down and out I would thank God for them.

I'll be honest sometimes I need to determine if it's me just thinking about giving or if God is truly leading me to give. We could maybe say if we want to give who gives us the inclination? 

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

To give usually involves some kind of reasoning. Are we implying it can be judgmental to examine our giving? If we are giving, are we empowered to judge the recipient? or should we cast a blind eye and just throw the money out there?

 

Indeed, you hit the crux of the matter...how do we know its God telling us, or something that is just in our head. Is that our human understanding getting in the way of Gods will, or is it God telling us that thought of giving really not from Him. Sometimes its crystal clear, sometimes not.

We all want to know when we give it goes to a good cause and isnt being thrown away by tge recipient. I dont think thats judging, but rather wise stewerdship of our money.

But, God is the ultimate steward and knows where that money is going. I know most if the time being wise stewards is a good idea, but theres times where we need to rely on Gods understanding and not ours, and really being in constant prayer is the only way i know of as to know when to hesitate and when to just give blindly.

Going to the bible i can think of one such example, in the story of Elijah. When he came out of the wilderness he came upon a widow and her son. She had enough food for one meal for her and her son, and that was it. She didnt know elijah from adam, and had absolutely no reason, or obligation, to give Elijah anything, especially the last of their food, except for the prodding of God.

And she questioned it, which we all would, as by our understanding it was a poor investment. but in the end she gave to Elijah, and that gift ended up saving both hers, and her sons, life, and more then once. But she had no way of knowing that at the time, she acted entirely upon faith.

 

 

[missmuffet]

54 minutes ago, Starise said:

Could be. I always looked at toll booth operators the same way. They stopped taking tolls here after COVID. Now they look at your tag.

I believe those who might be up to something like this are not many if they are working for the Salvation Army. The thing is, we just don't know. If they are helping the poor then I sincerely hope they collect a lot. We have a place here called the Water St Rescue Mission and they help a lot of poor people similar to the Salvation Army. If I were down and out I would thank God for them.

I'll be honest sometimes I need to determine if it's me just thinking about giving or if God is truly leading me to give. We could maybe say if we want to give who gives us the inclination? 

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

To give usually involves some kind of reasoning. Are we implying it can be judgmental to examine our giving? If we are giving, are we empowered to judge the recipient? or should we cast a blind eye and just throw the money out there?

 

There is a place here called the Portland Rescue Mission. They help the homeless and they are somewhat reliable. If they dip in the pot then that is their issue. I have my heart in the right place. 

Our electric company has a program called Operation Warm Heart that you can give to for those who can't afford their electric bill. The electric company is pretty reliable. I am thinking there will be many who can't afford their electric bill because of being layed off work because of Covid. 

Edited November 30, 2021 by missmuffet

[MrBear]

36 minutes ago, Starise said:

These are wonderful ideas. 

I sense a spirit here critical to giving to some charities. I don't direct this at you but at the whole thread. I myself am also critical of giving to some ministries and charities so no finger pointing going on here. It just is what it is. 

Having said that, I mainly posted the OP to get ideas for how we can be better and more wise in giving. I think Christians should be known as givers, not stingy people. You gave some excellent alternatives to giving to large charities. 

First and foremost I think many of us are probably involved in helping our families in some way because they are our immediate family. Churches probably come next because they are the bastions of our communities, yet even here wisdom is required. The community often benefits from the church both spiritually and financially through programs that help others.

Direct community support as @MrBear mentioned through things like food pantries. Then there are those people we come into direct contact with that the Lord may lead us to help in some way.

Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

 

Honestly it is me that should thank you for making this thread ?

The Lord opened a new door to me last week of making extra income and until I saw this thread I had forgotten to buy those canned goods

The spirit was stirred upon reading it and I was moved to get back into the habit again

Thank you Brother ?

SHALOM❤️