I was shopping with a friend one day when she sped up her car to keep me from handing a couple dollars to a man on side of the road with a sign asking for food money. She explained to me that so many people in the city, asking for financial help don't actually need it; they are con artist. I will admit she has a point. There are just such people out there taking advantage of the good spirit of many.
To prove a point, I went to Strong's Concordance and looked up the word "give". There are five pages of verses with the word "give" quoted. That does not even include "giver", "given" or "giving". Of course, there are more verses about what God gives to us than those commanding us to give. However, if God can give us so much, shouldn't we pass along to others?
Here are a few of those verses:
Gen 14:20- Then Abraham GAVE Melchizedek a tenth of everything
Pro 25:21 - If your enemy is hungry, give him food
Mt 10:8 - freely you have received, freely give
Mk 6:37 - Give them something to eat
Mk 10:21 - Give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven
Mk 12:17 - Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's
Lk 6:30 - Give to everyone who asks of you
Lk 11:9 - Ask and it will be given you
Acts 3:6 - Peter offered all he had
Ro 12:20 - If your enemy is thirsty, give him something to drink
Jms 2:16 - Help with physical needs
Jms 1:27 (My personal favorite) Pure religion is caring for widows and orphans
Although we need to discern in our giving (that's just being responsible with what we have), nowhere are we told to question who we give to or what they will do with what we give. We are merely told to give to others, especially if they ask of us.
With some American Indian blood running through my veins, I am reminded of a teaching from my youth that says: When you have a successful hunt, you are to share with anyone who asks. During the days when I was returning from a successful art show, I remember many times there were people with signs, asking for help. In Iowa, I was approached in a parking garage for food for a hungry family. Stopping for gas on I-70, I was asked for a donation for cleaning my windshield. I laughed to myself as I drove off with a windshield dirtier than when the man started.
In Ohio, I was looking for a place to have breakfast and called to a man, on the corner,
with a sign to join me. It was a fascinating meal, listening to him
talk about high school and his family. The waitresses all knew him. It
seems he frequented this particular corner. He ate breakfast and
ordered lunch to go.
Times when I was not asked: There was the faces of three boys in a dollar store who were short some change to pay for a couple trinkets, when I made up the difference. Or the Indian boys, in Oklahoma, who had only pennies for ice cream that cost more than a dollar. They were amazed to get help for the sweet treat.
I remember a woman in a diner in South Dakota trying to get attention to be seated and being ignored. She was not dirty, just an old Indian woman, with a couple dollars for pie and coffee. I sat her down with me and demanded a menu for her. It was enlightening to listen to her talk about her life on the reservation and where she lived now. She had ordered a four course meal with lots of coffee, boxed up everything she could not finish, along with desert, and asked for quarters to do her laundry. I wrote her name in my Bible so to never forget and still pray for that poor unfortunate.
This text is not written to brag but to show an example, ITim 4:12. Many, many people do so much more than my occasional small treats. My point is that we do not have to give huge amounts to impact someone. And, I was rewarded by being so well entertained. People have stories we are not aware of. It takes our mind off ourselves for a few minutes and reminds us that others also suffer and so often more than we do. I need to help others to keep myself humble.
Amen
Not too long ago, I was in our local dollar store to pick up some household items.
I wasn't in the store very long when I heard a woman's voice that sounded upset. Naturally, as a "curious" person, I wanted to know what was going on; so . . . I listened. I mean, it didn't take much straining to hear her. This woman had the kind of voice that seems to permeate the atmosphere. (Know what I mean?)
She was asking about the price of an item. No idea what the item was and it is not important. She was at the register complaining that a price had been rung up that was incorrect. The clerk was explaining that it was the price listed in the register. The lady customer was countering, emphatically, that the price on the shelf, where she found it, was different than the price being rung up. We've all been there. And, it does happen that a price can be in the register that has not been changed for a sale. This lady did not seem to be considering the possibility of an excusable error. In fact, she was getting quite agitated. After a couple minutes of discussion with the clerk was getting her nowhere, she asked for the manager. As far as I can remember, the price difference was just a matter of less than a dollar.
The manager was prompt on the scene and asked the customer to show her on what shelf in the store she found the price of this item. The customer marched the manager straight to the shelf with the price. The manager, seeing the issue immediately, patiently explained that her item was not in the correct location in the store. The manager further explained that people frequently pick up items and leave them in different locations when they change their mind about a purchase.
Apparently, this lady did not like her answer. Her agitation was growing as could be witnessed by her volume. Here and now, I can no longer be accused of eaves dropping; the entire occupancy of the store was within hearing range.
The manager was leading her customer back to the register to settle the situation. A line of customers was forming and half of this woman's purchases had been rung up. We were in the middle of a "incomplete checkout".
Discussion continued further as the customer was getting more and more upset. She was insisting on the price that was on the shelf where she found the item in question. The manager, to her credit, was even in tone, volume and patience as she continued to repeat the actuality of the situation. This customer, for whatever reason, finally relinquished and very sharply declared, "Well, then, I don't want it."
By this time, I had joined the line of waiting customers and could witness the situation first hand. With, pursed lips this lady refused to say another word, pushed her money into the hand of the manager, threw her change into her purse and mumbled something under her breath.
As she turned with her cart, I could see her purse in the baby seat, which sported a decal that declared, "I am a Christian".
Amen
"Tithe"
This is not a popular practice for many of us. We can always use that tenth for another bill, shoes or car repair. Fact: It actually belongs to God in the first place..
Tithing is a 10th of what we have already been given. Nu 18:26 We receive it first, then we give part of it. A 10th is a very small part of the whole, which is everything we have: health, home, job, friends, family, clothing and food. People tend to forget that God freely gives us all these things. They are not ours to begin with. He gives us and ask that we reserve 10% of that to hand back to Him. This is what He asks us to do to acknowledge that He is provider; the one we should come to for everything. He wants to give and bless. He wants us to acknowledge Him as the source.
What the Bible says about tithing: Gen 14:20, Gen 28:22, Lev 27:32, Pro 3:9, Heb 7:2 & 4
Our children are a blessing from Him. How do we give a tenth of our children? Caring for them as though we will give them back - like the parable of the talents; or, Samuel's mother, Hannah.
The tithe is not only on the physical items we have but also peace, health, the air we breathe, life itself and on and on and on. We do not have any of these things if God does not first give them to us. What about our calling? We are called by God to an understanding of Him; to be His children He wants to love and care for. How do we give a tenth of these things? By showing appreciation; by serving others.
Another gift from God is Jesus; our greatest blessing. How do we give a tenth of that ! ? Ans: Jms 1:27
The 10th is so little. The suggested tip for a waitress today is more. It is a mere token to show God we acknowledge Him and appreciate all He has done, is doing and will do for us.
Giving to others: Giving is a wonderful thing. You cannot give a gift and tell the receiver what to do with it. I see this happen so often. You give something to a friend who gives it to her daughter. You meant the gift for your friend. She gave it away. That makes us feel our gift was unappreciated.
It is the act of giving that is our reward. We are blessed when we give. After that, we have no more connection with the gift. Anything, anytime we give, we are blessed for the act of giving. Why would you want to deny your friend that same blessing?
God never lets us do without. If I give food to a food drive or take half my supper to a sick neighbor, I never notice a bare spot in my pantry. I have never done without because I gave. As matter of fact, I have more because I give. This makes it easier to give more food. The more I give, the more I have to give. God works this way to allow us to share His blessings. Mal 3:10
The blessings of giving are not always tangible just as all of God's blessings are not tangible: mercy, grace, forgiveness, righteousness, eternal life.
Discerning where to give is important. ("Do not cast your pearls before swine.") I try not to give to someone just because I like them. They may not need as much as someone I don't socially see eye to eye with. I try not to give to a person who does not make effort to help their self. Giving to that person who is making an honest effort to work and do better for their family, is discernment. The issue is: If I give to a person who is a chronic taker, the truly needy will do without my help. After all, my ability to give has a limit.
We tithe to the church (the bride of Christ). Here is a different issue: We are NOT to discern giving to the church (as long as the church teaches Jesus from the Bible). All too often people are too concerned with how the church operates and distributes it's funds. We are told to give - NOT to tell the church how to operate. The church is set up, according to Biblical instruction, on how to perform. Let's stop all the voting and have faith in our church leaders to "run the show". That's why they are there. The pastor is a pastor because God allows him to be the pastor - no matter what you think of his ability as a speaker, or the music, during worship service.
HEAVEN WILL NOT BE A DEMOCRACY !
What we are giving is not ours. It is first given to us from God.
Immeasurable blessings will come to you by being grateful. God appreciates a cheerful giver. We are reminded of the rich man who would not give up what he had to gain heaven and the widow who gave the last of all she had.
May you share your blessings and reap the rich rewards from your loving Heavenly Father.
Amen
Jesus did not go where He was not welcome or invited.
He was a respecter of persons.
When He found Himself unwanted, He left. He told his apostles to wipe the dirt from their sandals and move on - to where they would be appreciated. Let's learn from this and stop trying to cram Jesus down the throats of those who don't want Him. Don't waste time on those who cannot or will not hear. Work with those who want to hear. Mk 6:4 Mt 11:20
People came to Him. His disciples would go ahead of Him into a town and let people know that he would be teaching at a certain place and time. They came to Him: On the mount, in a boat, in Peter's house (where there was standing room only). Lk 10:1 Mt 5:1 Mt 14:13 Mt 15:30
"Come unto me"
We are given free will - let's allow others to have it. Be a "respecter of persons". No one can accept his Savior unless the Spirit convicts them. God puts it in a man's heart to answer the call to walk with Jesus.
Don't preach to others if your house is not in order. It is a "man" who takes care of his family first. Biblical order: God (spiritual life), family, friends, neighbors, town, country, world. We take baby steps for a reason.
We need to do a little more living by example. We are instructed to go into all the world; let's do it like Jesus did. Be an example of help and love. Put effort into being a good example of Jesus ad God will use you; He will bring people to you. He will put them in your path to help. Like I said earlier, take care of your own back yard first. Lk 6:37
*Be careful not to drive people away. Smile; be pleasant, friendly, courteous, helpful, patient and genuine. You can't help anyone if they go the other way when they see you coming.
Another point: How about we stop preaching to the choir ?! Jesus ate with sinners, healed the poor, forgave the prostitute. He is the savior of the lost. It is too easy to help your Christian brother. The dirty, homeless man on the corner is too easy to condemn but the one who needs the help. Mk 6:34 Lk 14
Let's not rob others of their pain and suffering along with the joy they get from suffering and overcoming. Everyone is coming to their time to make a stand. You can help but you cannot do it for them.
Amen
Although we need to discern in our giving (that's just being responsible with what we have), nowhere are we told to question who we give to or what they will do with what we give. We are merely told to give to others, especially if they ask of us. 
