There is No "Right To Receive" or "Obligation To Give"!
I consider myself to be a generous giver. I give more to the church I attend then I think I can afford (but it always works out) and I also give to various charities of my choosing.
At this time of year we are all besieged by pleas to give to just about every cause we can think of... as well as a few we never dreamed of.
The purpose of this post is to relate to you the receiving experience we experienced through the flood disaster Minot ND experienced this year and also to remind you of the "Golden Rule" of giving.
Having lived (and am living) through a disaster like our recent flood I can tell you that it was The Red Cross and The Salvation Army who were first on the scene. They were amazing in their help and generosity. Next, and nearly simultaneously, were all kinds of faith based groups such as Lutheran Disaster Services, The Samaritan's Purse, Mennonite Disaster Relief, and on and on. Faith Based Organizations accounted for 85% of the relief efforts in our disaster. Four months later many of them are still here helping us out with some very difficult tasks associated with flooding. I encourage you to give to these Faith Based organizations during this giving season.
The Golden Rule of Giving is to remember God Loves A Cheerful Giver.
Never give in a begrudgingly way.
The reason I emphasize this is I remember a time when I worked for a non-profit organization that once a year would impound 10% of all employees checks and give it The United Way. Not having a choice in the matter it angered me to the point that I have not/will not give to The United Way ever again in my life time. If you are an employer with a "mandatory" giving plan that does not let your employee choose where his/her gift goes please keep in mind you may be doing more harm then good.
You write "I give more to the church I attend then I think I can afford" . Charity starts at home, providing for your family's needs, saving for college, paying the local oil bill. Support of a church is great, needed. But not to the point of over giving, neglect or peril of the family. Moderation, all things in balance is being fiscally responsible. There is scripture to support that thinkings, daily living too.
Thanks Andrew for your input. Anyone who knows me knows that my family longs for nothing. We are far from wealthy, we don't have a cable/satellite TV, a Wii or any other game machines, or many other things many look at as necessities but we have an abundance of love and no one goes without because of our giving. We do have a modest college fund but I think it is important that children help pay their way through college so as to better appreciate their education. It has been my personal experience that those I know who worked their way through college have had better attitudes towards others as well as better work ethics then those who were handed everything to them with no effort of their own. I'm not saying that I have not met good people who were handed everything to them by daddy but I certainly have met a lot more arrogant folks from that camp.
I think most people feel "I give more to the church I attend then I think I can afford", but I don't think he means he has trouble paying his bills after wards. He didn't say he "gives until it hurts" and he stated it "(but it always works out)" and he gives to additional charities.
Anyway, giving comes from the heart not some mandated 10% from the company boss. I actually don't give to the United Way, since I have seen what the "leadership" gets paid and how many family members were/are on the payroll. Local charities and churches always help in the small disasters, too.
Than, Thank You for your correct analogy. I know there is a website somewhere that discloses how much "administrative costs" charities have and I do think people should be aware of that. I was giving to a "local" law enforcement charity until I found out (in their own literature) that 95% of my donation was for administrative costs.
Nice to hear first hand that so many faith based charities were there to help. Makes you feel a little better about your giving when you think it actually gets to the people who need it
That's for sure Bob!
I am thankful for all the christians and churches that take the great commission seriously, not only spreading the gospel but helping people in need.
Bob, glad you're a cheerful giver, and especially glad you're a thankful receiver! Glad so many faith based organizations are there still helping!
Good for you. My wife and I are generous in our giving. Much of this comes out of our call it play money.
I give to the Church, Rotary Club and United Way I feel as if I know my money is going to good use and I feel that is enough. If the government would sto with the help and let the local Church handle giving I think we would be better off. Whether you believe in God or not who better to handle the communities needs than the local Churches IMHO.
GOOD MORNING BOB! Giving should never be forced - giving what you can to who or what makes you feel good is what keeps the spirit of it good.
"Besieged" is a good label to put on those pleas, Bob! The hard part is knowing the causes which really cover genuine needs, and aren't just put in place for those working the non-profit phones. I tend to look around my own community, and if I see a need I try to address and care for it when I can. These are tough times for many folks. In the midst of most of our neighborhoods, friends, family, we can identify a need when it shows up!
Jeremy, I am so eager for this (flood) adventure to be over so I can see what is left over for me to give back. I could not be more excited about giving then I am at this time.
William, I think that is terrific and I would bet (not like Mitt) that the giving is as much or more "fun" then anything else you do with the "fun money".
Charles, all good causes for sure. I could not agree with you more that when we turned over the welfare system to the government (and the church was eager to do so, very short sightedly) it was a huge mistake. What better time to offer people The Bread of Life and Living Water then when they are in need of sustenance and Love.
Gabrielle, GOOD MORNING! You've summed it up better then I stated it.
Myrl, Great approach! Charity should begin at home (our own neighborhood) and within our own families. The church family that I belong to, Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, has been absolutely fantastic to us. Even this, the family of friends I have at AR have been amazingly generous in their support to get us back on our feet and headed towards a state of normality.