Charity

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Catsmeow,

I am very fortunate that my wife feels about "giving" as I do. Often when special offerings have come up within the church, I think of a $ amount and then turn to her for her suggestion. It is very comforting to find that we more often than not want to give the same amount.

But I do understand what you are saying about your husband. In God's mind, money is such a small thing, when compared to life, health, spiritual and physical well being and relationships and who knows what else. When you trust the Lord for all those things, then your wealth is also in His hands. I do not believe in being foolish with our money, but we are to be good stewards for God's money. And if He says do this or that with it, then by all means we should do it.

I have no suggestions about the situation with your husband, but your obedience to him and searching for whatever means is available to give is very commendable. Just pray that God give him wisdom, and perhaps one day you both can come into total agreement. If you are unsettled in your spirit, then I would suggest that it is the enemy who is doing the troubling. Seek God diligently for this:

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Guest Happy]

So tithing is the most popular charity as well as giving to missionaries. And the main advise is to follow your heart and wait for God to let me know? What is charity exactly?

[Catsmeow]

Charity is love expressed outwardly.

"Charities" are organizations in most cases which are supporting various causes. Some "legal" charities are Christian and some aren't.

Examples of charities would be Goodwill, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Christian Children's Fund, etc.

Red Cross is not Christian; neither is Goodwill. I mentioned those to show that the legal definition of charities (those receiving tax exempt status) vary and can be both Christian and non-Christian.

I hope that helped.

[Adstar]

Hello Happy :il:

Sorry i haven't replied earlier. my internet computer died a few days ago and i have had to transfer my modem to my gaming computer and set up my connection again phew so many downloads to get.

Well Jesus talked about giving, about what christian giving was all about:

Matthew 6

1 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Happy we must always try to give in secret. If someone gives you glory or says thanks for your gift then you have recieved a reward on earth. Remember we should give as Jesus gave to us. Jesus gave us a gift a true gift of eternal life and we cannot pay for it can we. we too when we give a gift should do likewise we should give out of the joy of giving and we must not seek any thanks or pats on the back for it. So if you can give in a secret way, so that even the recipiant does not know who the gift came from and that the community does not know that a gift has been given then what you have done in secret God will reward you openly for it

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

[Guest Happy]

Are good deeds and volunteer work also charity or is it different.

[nebula]

Acts of charity? Sure!

[Catsmeow]

Absolutely! You can volunteer in a soup kitchen; serve at a homeless shelter; assist in a food pantry...volunteer to be an Awana's leader (youth groups at church), help an elderly neighbor...

All of these are acts of charity...

[Guest dove2]

I don't believe in tithing, I believe in giving. Whether that be 5%, 10% or 100%. Whatever the Lord says to do is what we do. A person is to give whatever they can.

There are many families that can't get help because they make a penny over what the government allows. Churches won't help them. They do not have funds set up to help people. Maybe if they belonged to that church then the church might help them they say. These people may have no family of their own so how are they to feed their family? I believe God wants us to help feed people, make sure they have electricity and anything else they need, not want, but need. We, the church, and not the four walled church, are to help people who are in need. Whether it is by deed, a friendly word, baked bread or money. We do give to a ministry every month though.

The Lord told me to take a preacher's wife $59. and some few cents. I thought I was only thinking this. I mean take someone some few cents? This was back in the early 70s and shoes did not cost that much back then. Everytime I turned around the Lord was saying this to me. Finally after two weeks, I told Gary about this. Of course, you all know Gary so he called me a dunce and said let's take her the money. We get to the preachers wife and hand her the money. She asked me when the Lord told me to do this. I told her two weeks ago. She said that is when she asked the Lord for some shoes. Now, we were close friends so she felt she could say what was on her heart. She asked me why didn't I obey the Lord sooner. I told her it was because of the some few cents. She informed me that she had to have special shoes because of some foot problems and that I had made her wait on shoe she so desperately needed for two weeks and that was the exact price including tax that she had to have for her shoes. That put me in my place by not listening to the Lord about who to give to.

I don't want a debate on "To Tithe or Not To Tithe That is the Question" right now. Maybe later. There are several Bible verses that I base giving, rather than tithing on. One being Matthew 25:31-46. I wrote a poem about this. This poem is not meant to put anyone down. I just know this is to be what I am to do. Whatever I can for a person that needs help. Thought I might put the poem her though it is grammatically incorrect. Poetic license is taken I guess. LOL. Anyway, this is serious to me and I feel this is what the Lord was saying to me. You don't have to agree.

WHO WILL OFFER

Come, you on My right hand

You free from sin

Inherit My kingdom

Come, enter in

When I was hungry

You gave Me meat

When I was a stranger

You washed My feet

When I was thirsty

A drink you gave

When I was in prison

You came to save

When I was naked

You gave me clothes

When I was sick

You brought a perfect rose

You were kind to others

In My Son's name

In you I can find

No fault or blame

You on My left hand

You won't be My wife

Depart from Me

You don't have eternal life

You did not clothe

Or feed the poor

Now I must turn you

Away from My door

Don't you hear

The children pray

Lord, I'm hungry

Send someone my way?

You didn't listen

You turned away

You continue to eat

While the children pray

You didn't listen

And do your best

You didn't offer

To help feed God's blessed

This is what happens

On Judgment Day

Please help the poor

Listen! What did God say? Eternal Life

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