Jesus is quoted in Acts 20:35 as saying “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
No matter your feelings about Jesus, these words are true.
There is much blessing in giving. Not that we should give to be blessed, but I think you know what I mean. And if you don’t, check out this piece I found on the Wall Street Journal that speaks of new research that shows “when people made the decision to donate to what they felt was a worthy organization, parts of the midbrain lit up…”
When we give, we assume it is to help others, but there is also a big benefit to the giver.
Am I saying, however indirectly, that we should give so that we feel good about ourselves.
No.
But maybe a little.
I know something that is true for me, and I am going to assume it is true for you – we are made aware daily of need. From kids who sell candy bars door to door, or school kids emailing family members to buy wrapping paper, to local fundraisers for community members who need help with medical costs, to churches, to 5ks, to 10ks, to…. to crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and CrowdRise.
From world disasters to local need… how do we choose?
I have no idea.
For us some of our decisions in giving is faith-based. Some is heart-based. And some is in-the-moment crisis based.
On May 5th, 2015, there is a local giving event in my community (maybe yours too – I know a bunch of my beautiful readers live here in Kitsap County!)
The Kitsap Great Give 2015.
If you are a Kitsap resident, I hope you’ll visit the Kitsap Great Give website. It is a WONDERFUL way to learn about what is being done for the benefit of our community. And it is an excellent way to assure your donation goes exactly to where your passion is.
Last year we were able to give to 3 organizations. Perhaps just one organization would have loved all our donation, but each organization was important for us to support… which all support children, teens, or families in some way. That seems to be where our personal giving passions lie.
Our giving passion is not everyone’s giving passion. And that is why it’s so important everyone get involved. It’s OK if an individual is not moved to donate to family-centered causes… there are recovery causes, animal welfare, community betterment, food and shelter based causes, education… the arts!
You know that one Lion King sone, “Circle of Life”… having a wide variety of community causes create a well-rounded community that can work together to meet every imaginable need. We function best when we have all 10 fingers… so it is to have people passionate and able to serve a variety of needs and fill gaps.
I write all this to end with this… if you are in Kitsap – go here to find a looooong list of organizations you can give to through Kitsap Great Give. If you don’t live here, you can totes still give;)
And if you find the money isn’t there right now… it’s OK. There is always need. This is not a last chance to give. Besides, there are non-monetary ways to give too:
- – a smile (I’m serious)
- – Allowing someone to merge to your lane with ease
- – A listening ear
- – A meal or plate of cookies
- – A bouquet of flowers
- – A phone call
- – A letter
- – ….. this is such an open-ended list..
However you give… let’s just make sure we are. It’s a good, good thing.
Even science agrees.
And just in case you missed it… the Kitsap Great Give 2015 – it’s in May this year. May 5th. Mark your calendar!
