Back in December I talked about some of the reasons why I believe in giving: giving back, giving to charities, etc. You can see my original post here.
Today I’d like to talk about why I feel “called” to give. I know some of you won’t like that word “called”, but that’s what it is to me. I believe God calls us all to give. Here are the specific verses that lead me to give to the charities I do:
Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25: 34-40 NRSV
I try to use these verses as a litmus test when I am asked to donate. If it will support the hungry, thirsty, lonely, poor or imprisoned, then I will try to donate if I can.
Compassion International is one of the charities I choose to give to. Here is their commitment to children from their website:
Compassion’s ministry is focused on the individual child and his or her development. By working holistically with individual children to address their spiritual, economic, social and physical needs, we present every child with an opportunity to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.
Although entire communities may feel the positive impact of Compassion’s presence, our goal is to release children one-by-one from poverty in Jesus’ name. What happens in the life of a child ripples throughout their environment now and in the future.
We believe that changed environments may assist children, but transformed children will inevitably change their environments.
I am not able to commit to supporting a child on a monthly basis, but Compassion offers other opportunities to give through their Gift Catalog. For as little as $4 you have the opportunity to help protect one child from parasites, or for $10 you can provide garden seeds for an entire family in Africa.
Compassion International is encouraging everyone to talk about the reasons why they give. Please leave a comment below or link up your blog to the linky below and let us know what verse calls you to give?
