I am not talking about tithing which is required of believers. I am talking about giving from the heart to fill a need for the receiver or the giver. Don't worry about how the receiver receives it. Or what he or she does with the money or gift. This is a huge stumbling block to Christian charity. "I don't want to give them any money, they'll just go get drunk on it..." or "These big charities misuse the money they get with these big executives...". I am guilty of these same sentiments. I say guilty because this is the wrong attitude. Our Creator loves a cheerful giver so give cheerfully and without reservation. Be a cheerful giver, our blessing comes from the giving and not from harboring ill will about how the gift will be used.
My favorite way to express this love of giving is what I have come to call Lunches for Soldiers. Since my son is in the military, military folks and their families have been on my heart. So when the chance to give anonymously to these great Americans presents itself here's what I do...
It all started one day when I was at lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. My son was at sea and was due back home to Norfolk. I was expecting his call so he was on my mind. Across the restaurant sat three military guys from our local Army Reserve Depot. Sitting there I thought of my son miles from home, and God gave me a thought. I could buy these soldiers lunch. So I asked the waitress to bring me their checks. I convinced her to not tell the recipients who bought their lunch and I tipped the waitress accordingly. Simple.
I left there with a huge sense of national pride. And what I call the "warm fuzzy feeling" of doing something good anonymously. What a blessing it was. It was just a small thing, it cost me about $20 but believe me, the blessing I received was beyond compare. So much so in fact, I have repeated this exercise several times. And my friends who have had occasion to witness these acts have started doing the same thing.
I don't believe in telling folks about my anonymous giving, but my hope in doing so now, is that others can help spread the blessings. Bless a soldier and his friends and families, bless each other, and allow God to bless you.
Lunches for Soldiers, be a blessing. Charity is contagious.
