What if I just give time, instead of resources
If you feel you can’t give 10% then give 10% of your time to create or raise the funds to donate the 10%
– J –
The bible does illustrate that you can give 10% of your money, your property or your time. It’s interesting that many people who teach personal finance and legacy, use this percentage, even if they are atheist. So that being said the principle is more of a law of humanity than a religious implication. The confusion comes in when there is an attempt to clearly understand how much the 10% is worth, and the worry that people didn’t give exactly 10%. What if they gave too much or too little, the world as we know it could come to a cataclysmic end. Where on the flip side of the extreme is the old lady who can’t afford food, but she still keeps putting money into an offering plate to supply gas to the preachers new Cadillac? This doesn’t happen every day, and I’m not disparaging the church, but we do live in a balanced reality, and some people do bad things in the name of the good of mankind.So if you really want to try to figure it out, one could suggest that you figure out how much you make an hour, and if you are doing your skilled labor for the non-profit entity or person you are trying to help, and try to give hours equal to your 10% of your income, adding the additional 10% of the time you are giving away… This is just ridiculous; I say give until it doesn’t hurt anymore. Karma and the cosmic balance recommends that we give, however, if you are living with a servants heart, you are giving all the time. You are opening doors, and blessing people with a smile. You give to the person on the street corner, and you donate toys to the needy at Christmas. Rather you give money to the church or someone who is needy, its all about the legacy of giving back to your community and the world at large.
I am a recovering sinner…
I have time and time again passed many poor people in the judgment of them. I felt that they would most likely use my hard earned money to buy alcohol, or that they secretly had a car or house that was much nicer than my own. Thanks, news, and media!!! It really got into my head. Where do I come off trying to second guess them or decide that I shouldn’t let them decide how they spend their money.
People are often apologetic for asking for money to get gas or a cup of coffee on a cold day. I tell them, “Oh, my bad, your $5 was left in my wallet… It’s all good… Here it is, you can handle it as you need…” Yes, I talk to people like that, just ask my friends and family that love to pick on me about it, but hey I’m enjoying my life, so consider the source of the people who are trying to tell me I’m doing it wrong.Yes I’ve been blessed
My cousins who let me stay at their house during the summers, my Aunt’s and Uncles who raised me as if I was one of there on children or a man who legally adopted me. During a blizzard on Christmas Eve in Bowlen Green, Kentucky and a kind gentleman saw us and insisted on putting in a hotel room. Another time, I was stranded in snow with a 4 horse trailer full of horses, chickens, and goats, and they could have frozen to death if it weren’t for the kindness of a stranger that helped me change the bearing and welded the tongue on the trailer, and warmed the trailer up for me. During Hurricane, Mathew I was displaced, and a sweet older woman came to our family and said it was important she gave us money for a room and told us where there was a hotel room available in a town that was overbooked. They were saving the room for the family she selected for someone she knew she was sent t find. I even once had a state trooper took off his hat and told me it was a Christian Private Citizen that felt the system was unfair and gave me $25 to pay for the driving class. There have been so many examples of kindness; I just can’t name them all.How do I do it now?
I have always been more than willing to give volunteer assistance, a ride, the occasional jump start or ride to the gas station. My family and friends now sometimes get annoyed with me because I turn around and come back to that I can give money to people who are asking for money. I try to keep change and singles available to give someone when they ask for help. I have to hear the lecture about how that person probably has more then I do, or they may get alcohol with the money, but at the end of the day it’s not my concern. This comes from the same people who will buy a coffee for a stranger behind them, and say it’s OK if I buy that homeless person a sandwich or drink, but give gift cards to people for holidays. It’s a little confusing, but I know they are coming with an intention of love. All along I was sent sign after sign to give til it didn’t hurt.
Anymore, I was too angry to see what I was missing. I try to give back, I don’t keep score, and I hope that you do the same. Although some people think they must give 10% to their religious organization and more to those in need. I don’t think anyone should judge anyone else on how much they give, nor should the be locked into a specific rate. Just give because it feels good. Be grateful for the opportunity to give, and enjoy the abundance and prosperity, without judgment and without regret. I just give until it doesn’t hurt anymore… I don’t have that gut feeling of regret because I missed the opportunity to let someone else enjoy my abundance.