“Only when you give from the heart does it make the giving whole.” ― Stephen Richards
It’s 1 : 14 PM on day 1423 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, feed myself bran flakes with banana for breakfast, pray, read Psalm 111, publish my Disability of the Day feature, practice sitting up straight to strengthen my core muscles and work on my upcoming campaign’s video – I’m not the most natural in front of the camera but after a few takes it started to get easier.
This morning I was thinking about why I give and I came up with 2 reasons why I think we shouldn’t give and 1 reason why I think we should give. Take a look:
2 Reasons Not to Give and 1 Reason to Give
- Don’t give to get noticed – when we give so that people will notice the whole act of giving becomes about making ourselves look good not about helping other people
- Don’t give to get anything in return – when we give expecting something in return it’s a business transaction not an act of charity and it ruins the whole experience of giving
- Give because you feel blessed and want to bless others with your blessings
For me, giving is giving. Regardless of the intention, needs must be met in this world. Disease, hunger, thirst, exploitation, violence, etc. – all of these things are real, evil, and cause much suffering in the world. Practically speaking, even a selfish intention that has good consequences does good – however confusing that may be to the Christian. And this may be the heart of the problem of evil and its sustainability – that much and apparent good is often the consequence of much evil – even if such goods do not represent a good which greatly pleases God.
Can you afford to throw down the gauntlet of Christian righteousness and righteous indignation at the expense of not raising enough money for a good cause?
Aristotle, a pagan and Greek philosopher, understood that the necessity of moral virtue lay in the sustainability of social and political life. He also understood that pride, vanity and ego represented a crucial dynamic in the natural moral behavior of the acting person. The mighty do good, specifically, in order that they may be honored, praised and glorified among the people.
Of course, the Christian’s concern with their salvation and personal manifestation of the Kingdom of God obligates the Christian to reflect on both their intentions and the exercise of virtues (natural and supernatural) in service to God.
So are you asking for a donation? Or are you asking people to follow Christ?
i know that it makes no difference to the receiver what the givers intentions are i’m just saying the giver would have a richer experience if he/she didn’t expect anything in return for what he/she gave. Can’t I ask for donations and ask people to follow Christ?
As a Christian, I imagine the ideal situation is to do both without the latter excluding the former. I don’t see it as unChristian to honor, celebrate and praise people who give. Express loud and enthusiastic gratitude for all donations. And if you want to be a witness to Jesus Christ, you can do that too. Not with a rebuke or caution, but with a big blessing, God’s word, and much love.
it’s not an unChristian thing to be praised for giving I just think the people giving shouldn’t give because they want to be praised. Does that make sense?