charitable giving and service
Everyday Americans can be more charitable to those in need. More service and giving renews us all.
As a nation, we have often been reminded by our faith and our conscience to care for the “least of these”, those who are suffering, oppressed, and in need.
In a world full of challenges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the needs around us. Yet, the call to serve and love others remains clear, particularly for those of us who claim to follow Christ and His teachings.
From a Judeo-Christian perspective, the Bible teaches us repeatedly that we are to be compassionate, generous, and attentive to the needs of others. The heart of charity, whether providing a meal, shelter, financial assistance, or even emotional support is rooted in God’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).
a practical guide to being charitable
Here’s a guide for everyday Americans, people like you and me, to make a real difference in the lives of others through simple acts of charity and kindness. Whether you have money to spare or not, there are always ways to serve.
Biblical Foundations of Charity
First, let’s ground our actions in the Bible, where we find many exhortations to give, care for the poor, and engage in acts of kindness.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.
In Matthew 22:39, Jesus tells us: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." This simple but profound command underpins the entire Christian ethic of charity. The idea is that we should treat others as we would want to be treated, with compassion and generosity. Call it the Golden Rule if you will!
Give to the Needy
The Bible encourages us to open our hearts and hands to those in need. In Proverbs 19:17, it says: "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."
Giving to those in need isn’t just an act of charity, it’s an investment in the Kingdom of God, and God promises that He will repay us for our kindness. His payment may not be in the same form as what we gave, but it will be according to our needs, that He well knows.
Care for Widows and Orphans
One of the most poignant calls to charity is found in James 1:27: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
The Bible specifically calls out the need to care for the vulnerable, those who have no one to care for them. Whether it’s supporting organizations focused on orphan care, or helping widows in your community, this verse is a clarion call for Christians to look out for the most vulnerable.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Jesus tells the story of a man who was beaten and left for dead by the side of the road. A priest and a Levite passed him by, but a Samaritan stopped to help. Jesus ends the parable with this statement in Luke 10:37: "Go, and do thou likewise." This parable teaches us that being a good neighbor isn’t just about following rules, it’s about showing mercy to those in need, regardless of their background or status.
The Call to Serve: A myriad of Ways to Be Charitable
The need for charity is vast, but there are many ways to give back, even if you’re on a tight budget. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference. God doesn’t call us to give what we don’t have, but to give what we can.
Here are some practical ways you can be charitable, grounded in the principles of love and compassion found in Scripture.
Volunteer Your Time
Sometimes, your time is the most valuable gift you can give. If money is tight, but you have time on your hands, there are numerous ways you can serve others:
- Local Homeless Shelters: Many shelters, food banks, and soup kitchens are in constant need of volunteers. The Bible speaks of feeding the hungry and providing for the homeless, and this is a tangible way to live out that calling.
- Disaster Relief Organizations: Groups like Samaritan’s Purse and Team Rubicon often have volunteer opportunities for those who want to help in disaster-stricken areas. Whether it’s serving food, providing clean water, or offering emotional support, your time and presence can make a world of difference.
- Hospitals and Nursing homes: Visiting those that are bed-bound in hospitals or in a convalescing, nursing or special-care home, is a wonderful way to lift the spirits of those that find themselves in a vulnerable situation. Reading, playing games, or a musical instrument, or just offering an encouraging word can brighten someone’s day in a way that you cannot imagine. This is the kind of charitable service that restores the soul and transcends time.
Support Charitable Organizations
Even if you can’t donate money, you can contribute to organizations that are doing important work. There are many organizations that focus on issues like human trafficking, child abuse, and disaster relief. Here are a few highly rated charities (according to Guidestar.org and similar rating platforms):
- Compassion International: This organization is well known for helping children in poverty by providing them with food, education, and the love of Christ.
- International Justice Mission (IJM): IJM works around the world to combat human trafficking, child labor, and other forms of exploitation. They provide rescue, legal support, and aftercare to victims.
- Feeding America: As one of the largest hunger-relief organizations in the U.S., Feeding America works to end hunger by providing food to over 40 million people in need each year.
- Operation Blessing: Focused on disaster relief, Operation Blessing has been providing help to people affected by natural disasters for decades. Their efforts also extend to medical aid and feeding programs.
These organizations are always looking for volunteers or partnerships. Many offer online giving options if you can contribute financially, or they may have local offices that welcome your support.
Donate Goods and Clothing
If you can’t donate money, donating goods such as clothing, food, and household items is another great way to serve others. Local shelters, food banks, and churches often organize drives to collect items for those in need.
- Clothing and Toy Drives: Collecting gently used clothing or toys for children is always a need in communities. Look for local donation centers or churches that are hosting drives.
- Food Drives: Many communities have food banks or food pantries that are in constant need of donations. Non-perishable food items, especially canned goods, are always in high demand.
You may also have specific skills, talents, or hobbies that can make a significant impact in your community. For example:
Leverage Your Hobbies or Talents
God has given each of us unique gifts, and these can be used to serve others in powerful ways. If you’re not sure where to start, think about what you’re good at:
- Arts and Crafts: If you're skilled in knitting, sewing, or crafting, consider making blankets, hats, or clothing for those in need.
- Teaching or Tutoring: If you’re a teacher or someone with a knack for helping others learn, tutoring at-risk youth or adult literacy programs can make a huge impact.
- Handyman Services: If you have carpentry, plumbing, or other home repair skills, consider helping elderly or low-income neighbors with home repairs.
Even something as simple as offering to run errands for a shut-in or providing childcare for a single parent in need is a practical way to show kindness.
hey- get involved! your actions matter!
No matter where you are in life, whether you have abundant resources or are living paycheck to paycheck, there are countless ways to be charitable. As Christians, we are called to act, to love our neighbors, and to be the hands and feet of Christ in a broken world.
Remember, it’s not the size of your donation that matters, but the heart behind it. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us: "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
Each act of kindness, no matter how small, has the potential to make a ripple effect in the lives of others. As you volunteer, give, and serve, know that your actions are making a difference. And when you serve others, you not only change their lives, you transform your own heart.
If you see an ad on TV, hear one on the radio, or see it on the web or in your social media circles, and it resoates with you; in otherwords, it touches the tenderness of your heart; then do something about it and you will be blessed.
So, dear reader, I challenge you today: find a way to get involved.
Whether it’s offering your time, your skills, your resources, or even your voice, there is always an opportunity to serve. Let your compassion shine, and together, we can make the world a brighter, more loving place.
You might not be able to do everything, but you can do something. And that “something” is exactly what God calls us to do!