Giveitawaygiveitawaygiveitawaynow

So I have been reading some pretty interesting things lately on giving here and here and not just because I agree with them - do I find them interesting; but because they stretch my thinking and attitudes. Daniel and I have been stretched towards giving since we have moved here. Do we tithe regularly? Do we give when we see a need? Who do we tithe to? Do we tithe back to the churches who are fund raising, sending us money to stay here? All questions we have had to consider and find answers to. I was reading two other things that have led us to our answers. One being a quote by Jerry white (whoever that is) says when asked How can people be expected to “give back” when so much has been taken from them? Answer: "The most generous can be found among the poorest of the poor, people who experienced crisis and poverty themselves. Many have discovered that the key to finding joy lies in giving back to our communities. Many of us exert enormous effort just to survive life, but when we learn to give again, in small and big ways, we gain in strength. Giving keeps us from slipping back into a victim mentality." * Giving keeps us from slipping back into a victim mentality! True that. This one has helped me to give and to want to give and being an example to give because so many people here actually have nothing. A lot of times I feel like "Whats the use?" And feel so desperate and useless because there are so many people. They are starving...literally. So we become overwhelmed by the need here in South Africa, but in reading this and some of the other things that were written (and in prayer) has helped us get a better grasp on the reality that we can partner with the people who are like minded and with the plan God has laid out in front of us to change things. It has strengthened our Faith.

Then the other was in a book I am reading by Shane Claiborne and he goes on to say "It is so much more comfortable to depersonalize the poor so we don't feel responsible for the catastrophic human failure that results in someone sleeping on the street while people have spare bedrooms in their homes. We can volunteer in a social program or distribute excess food and clothing through organizations and never have to open up our homes, our beds, our dinner tables. When we get to heaven, we will be separated into those sheep and goats Jesus talks about in Matthew 25 based on how we cared for the least among us. I'm just not convinced that Jesus is going to say, "When I was hungry, you gave a check to the United Way and they fed me", or "When I was naked, you donated clothes to the Salvation Army and they clothed me." Jesus is not seeking distant acts of charity. He seeks concrete acts of love": you fed me....you visited me in prison...you welcomed me into your home...you clothed me." (page 158 - the irresistible revolution)

So those are some things that have helped us come to our conclusion on to where we give and how God has lead us on this journey. I don't know if we are doing "the right" thing. But for now we believe we are serving God and following Him with our finances.

P.S. We are leaving for the Transkei in a few hours...please pray for us. Our safety and return. Thanks.

Comments

[mandy]

you're so right.

drew and i are living off the tightest budget we've ever had, but we still find ways to give what we can - and sometimes what we can't - because it's that important. we LOVE the opportunities to bless others.

we don't need all of it. if we were honest, we don't need most of it. others need it more...

[Roxanne Kristina]

I just read the links you provided, as well as your incredible post.

Speechless.

Again, you inspire me.

Thinking, thinking, rethinking.

More importantly, praying.

Have a safe trip!

Blessings,
Roxanne Kristina @ www.sharingnotes.blogspot.com

[Pete Wilson]

Praying for your trip Kristi!

[tawny]

Wow, for some reason I was surprised at what those other blogs said. I shouldn't have been. Very thought provoking, as usual.

[gchyayles]

I love your heart! We have been tithing for almost two years now and God has been so faithful to provide our needs. I am an avid believer that God lets us know when and where there is a need and gives us the ability to help. Keep praying for His leading and He will be faithful to use your giving hearts to bless His people. Love and blessings!

[Roxanne Kristina]

Hope all is well on your trip...!!!

I am also stopping by to tell you about a cool story I just posted. Thought you might enjoy. It's a warm fuzzy piece.

Our friends who just returned from China with #2 have been featured on CNN. If you link here you can watch it:

http://sharingnotes.blogspot.com/2008/06/some-of-you-have-been-following-our.html

Blessings,
R
www.sharingnotes.blogspot.com