Giving is one of those things that everyone agrees is a good thing to do. After all, it makes us feel good. It's just "the right thing to do."
At least that's what I thought. Recently, a friend told me that charity can be a bad thing. Uh? I was completely dumbfounded, but then I thought about. It made sense. My friend made the point that when we give (as an example, writing a check to the Salvation Army around Christmas time), we tend to feel good about ourselves, which often leads to a feeling of "I've done my part." We tend to check giving off our lists, which leads to us ignoring needs that are surrounding us. It makes it all that much easier to walk past someone in need, saying, "Well, I've already given money; I'll let the next person take care of this need."
The question then becomes, not why we give, but are we giving in the way God desires?
Here is what the Bible has to say about giving:
1 John 5:3: "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome for everyone born of God overcomes the world."
This verse is about love for God; note that this verse didn’t say salvation or eternal life … it says show or demonstrate love – to obey His commands is love. Incredibly, God also says that He will help us overcome this world. Worried that you don't have anything to give? You don't have to worry about that. God will give you everything you need to help those around you.
In Ephesians 4:1, Paul urges us "to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." What does that mean??
As Christians we are called to be each others helpers and keepers so that nobody ever finds themselves in a situation where there is no-way out. We are part of the body of Christ (see I Corinthians 12), and as such, we should be Christ's body here on earth. We act as Christ when we come into other people's lives, so we need to make sure we represent Christ.
Psalms 10:14 says that "you, the father, are the helper of the fatherless." This Psalm is talking about God helping those that are fatherless – but if we are to be, and are made in the image of God, then we also need to be helping the fatherless.
Acts 9: 36 gives us the example of a disciple called Tabitha (or Dorcas), who is helping the poor.
1 Timothy 5:10 defines good deeds (in the context of widows, but I think it can be applied elsewhere too), such as bring up children and showing hospitality.
In this last verse children/child care is brought to the fore-front. It is mentioned specifically in James 1:27: "Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faithless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...." We are called to help women and children who don’t have the support system that some of us are lucky to have.
I'll leave you with one last passage; this one comes from Matthew 25:35-40:
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
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.’
We give to others because, in doing so, we are glorifying God. We do it because Jesus gave first to us, and we then can show the world His love and incredible sacrifice. That's why we do it. And that never stops.
