Do you consider yourself a charitable person?
How do you give to others and your community? Is it with your time or money? Do you tithe at your church? What do you expect in return? Is it Quid Pro Quo? Do you expect to be named person of the year because you gave?
It is no secret that the middle class in this country have fallen on hard times in the last decade. Our dollars seem to be made of glass rather than rubber, they can’t be stretched at all.
But, the middle class are the ones who give the most to things like, Red Cross, Katrina victims, Hatti, and now Harvey. They share their time, their talent, (swimming, boating, building etc…) and what little funds they have. Why do you think they do what they do? Because they have seen in person, you can make a difference.
There has always been a joke in the religious community, “give till it hurts,” but my take on it would be, “give till it feels good!” The Bible tells us to: cast our bread upon the waters, and it will return. In other words, you can’t out give God! He even told us when we give to the needy we are giving to him. What an opportunity! So open up your hearts, your purses and your veins and give! You won’t be sorry. Do it till it feels good!
As parents we need to teach our children to give. To understand there are those less fortunate than they are. I am not suggesting to lay a guilt trip on our kids, but let them experience giving, their time and talent, and the joy it brings. Donate toys they no longer play with or their time, maybe shoveling an elderly person’s sidewalk. Teach them the joy of giving.
We as writers have the joy of giving of our talents as writers. We can take the tragedies like floods and earthquakes, and other disasters and show how giving and loving the human spirit can be.
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:38
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23:5-6