What is Charity?

Practically speaking, charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.  The virtue of charity is said to be "that it unites us to God" and reflects the heart of God to those in need.

When I searched for the meaning of this word I found this interesting article.  It really has me thinking more seriously about the causes I donate to.  It has me pondering the way we prioritize our giving.  For instance, in a crisis with wounded victims, emergency responders would quickly assess the level of care and prioritize their patients in terms of most to least critical - treating those with the most urgent need first.  I'm starting to think of charity in this way also.  
When there are still tent communities in Haiti from the earthquake and the dire conditions there... when there are people in the East still struggling to get necessities in the aftermath of the Hurricane, when there are still always children starving in Africa, & when giving directly related to poverty is so substantially down...
I just wonder, maybe our charitable donations should be reconsidered.

These days there are many non-profits but are we first caring for the most vulnerable among us?  Or, are we helping those who can help themselves?

One last thing, today I joined Pure Charity.  You can follow me on Pure Charity and start your own account.  It allows you to allocate a percentage of the purchases you make to fund causes that touch your heart.  I learned all about it through Jen Hatmaker - Before You Spend Another Penny... and also her post about The Legacy Project.  Please read them and join!  
Blessings,
Olivia

Quote of the Day

Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world when He could do something about it... but I'm afraid he might ask me the same question.  (Anonymous)

This quote, along with a couple of  scriptures have been invading my every thought lately.  They are redefining (it was once more clear) my whole perspective on being a christian.  I have always wondered when I stand before God when my life is over, what will I actually be judged on.  What will be left when my life is said and done - only those treasures I have stored up in heaven.  This is what the bible says:

Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me... I tell you the the truth, whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.  Matthew 25:34-40 (shortened)

This is the answer that was hidden right in front of me!  It's not as though I have never shown compassion.  But have I shown love and compassion to the measure that I was able to?  Have I sacrificed my own comfort and dreams to meet others needs?  I confess I have fallen short.  I am so regretful for the lost time.  So now what will I do with the answer?  Seek out the widow, the orphan and the stranger, anyone who has need and show them love in tangible ways. 

A little over ten years ago, before I met my husband and started a family I had a passionate heart for missions.  I went to South Africa on a mission trip with my church for 2 weeks and served.  It was amazing, and I was seriously considering a move there to teach children for a commitment of 6 months to a year.  Then I met Scott and fell in love.  We have been blessed with a good marriage, our own catering business, a life together with four healthy beautiful children to raise in the country.  I have been so thankful for what I have and also have felt that our lives are so full!  Yet, instead of realizing we have our dream come true and offering it all back to God, saying we are completely yours and will share open-handedly what you have given... we got comfortable.  Quite cozy and comfy.  Well, I am praying that the Lord will bring the passion back that was once so full.  I pray it will spill over to my husband, and children and then out into the world. 

So these are my thoughts.  Please, please feel free to comment and share your thoughts with me.

Blessings,

Olivia

I was going to share...

I was going to share about the opportunities I had to look outside of my own small world and help those around me.  But then as I sat down to write the post I remembered reading in Matthew the other day and this is what I read:

Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets (or in your blog :) to be honored by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  Matthew 6:1-4

So I will just say, I DID see opportunities to reach out to others in love when I was looking and I am trying to keep that perspective!  That is my encouragement to you!  Isn't the giving so much better than the receiving!
Warmly,
Olivia

Quote of the day

We can do no great things, only small things with great love.  Mother Teresa

I'm letting this sink in today as I look out over the week.  Prayerfully, I am preparing my heart to spend my week in a way that can overflow with compassion for others.  So often I am guilty of being self involved and not looking to help others near to me or far away.  But this is an irony because God has given me a heart of compassion.  One that is easily moved to tears at the pain of others suffering especially children.  Too often I get caught up in my own little world (and by doing so I am keeping it little).  This week I am challenging my habits and seeking to show love.  I can't wait to share what opportunities to give of my time and resources come up as a result of being ready and available!