Yesterday I was talking with a friend about giving. While talking with him I realized there is a lot to consider when you feel you are ready to give something to someone. Here is a list of things to ask yourself before making the decision to give something to someone. I am interested in what you think and what you might add to this list.
- Avoid giving in order to make yourself feel better.
- Don’t give with strings attached.
- In most cases giving should cost you something. What will this cost you?
- Make sure you can give in a way that restores or maintains a person’s dignity.
- Don’t give people who need something that works, something that needs work.
- Don’t give someone something they can’t afford to keep.
- If you can’t let go of ownership don’t give it away.
- Give locally before you give globally.
- If you cannot receive a gift well you probably can’t give a gift well.
- Many times we can give our enemies what they will not give us.
Able
My name is Judd Rumley. Luke and I have been talking about me joining this blog. Part of my prep work has been reading the blogs. I have thoroughly enjoyed your blogs. Keep up the great work.
One thing you might consider adding to your giving list – give joyfully. If you can give $5 with a smile, do so. $500 with a frown helps the church but not your heart. As a subset to your “what does it cost” you might think about setting a ceiling on what income you need and give the rest to the Lord’s work (church, gospel-centered organizations, others, in that order).
Blessings,
Judd Rumley
Lead Pastor, Eagle Bible Church
Don’t give what does not belong to you. ie using some form of credit.
Thanks already and not yet, North America is in big trouble because of this one.
Thanks for the encouragement. Giving Joyfully is very important as well. Counting your cost is pretty easy for us right now (HAHA) after our needs are taken care of we are pretty much toast. LOL
But really, giving deliberately with a plan is important. And that’s the beauty of the blog this list is alive and interactive. Thanks Judd look forward to getting to know you more.
I like #6. Did you ever hear the origin of “white elephant gifts”? It was a gift someone gave to their enemy, because they were extremely expensive to feed and were not allowed to do any work in return or be sold, given away, killed, etc. A gift you couldn’t afford to keep.
Wow I had never heard that Timberaldancer… thanks. haha very true.