What’s Appropriate to Give For Charity?

More money is given for charitable purposes this time of year than any other. For whatever reason people choose to give, it is a good reason to do so. However, many people wonder what would be deemed an appropriate gift for charity. Is it a percentage of your income? Is it whatever the government will allow for a tax right off? Is it a certain number? Well, if I may surmise; arguably, one of the greatest treatises on Charity ever written was shared by Paul the apostle, but let’s try to make his declaration a little clearer by expressing what he may have meant. He describes Charity in this respect, saying:

Charity suffereth long and is kind… meaning:

Sitting with that person who spends much of their time alone, who, now that they have someone who will listen, will share all the thoughts, achievements, complaints and history of their lives; it’s patience, tolerance and caring amidst a terribly self-centered society.

Charity envieth not… meaning: You will not lie, cheat, steal, deceive or take advantage of another in order to keep up with the Jones’.

Charity vaunteth not itself… meaning: You praise others and put them in the lime light. You show no pretense, glory seeking or megalomania. You know you are a winner and that personal knowledge is all that is required to satisfy and sustain your need for acceptance and personal grandeur.

Charity is not puffed up… meaning: You have amassed much and accomplished much, so much so that you can give freely without experiencing any lack, yet you show your success to no one. You do don’t buy the biggest house, fastest cars, best systems just because you can.

Charity doth not behave itself unseemly… meaning: You may have never thought of acting professional as charity but by not using vulgar language, referring to base subject matter or using stereotypes and biases; you are being charitable by not offending others or taking from them their peace or making them feel they must debase themselves in order to be accepted socially.

Charity seeketh not her own… meaning: As he said in an earlier conversation “Let no man seek his own but every man another’s wealth.” By seeking only to serve, help and assist others to become wealthy and successful, your wealth will be realized and your income assured.

Charity is not easily provoked… meaning: Though a competitor accuses you of all manner of sophistry, low quality, cheating or lousy customer service, you would not resort to similar tactics, or worse, to combat him. You will let him have his say and prove, by your service and quality only, that your competitor is mistaken.

Charity thinketh no evil… meaning: You are focused on improving, accomplishing, making your tomorrows better than your todays. You spare no time for deceit, trickery, cutting corners or any level of malpractice. You haven’t the time to consider such debauchery because of all the positive business you are busy taking care of.

Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth… meaning: True to your customers, true to your products/services, true to your employees and truth in your advertising.

Charity beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things… meaning: Charity is positive regardless of the many negatives that disrupt the encouraging outlook of our daily lives. Discouragement, ill will, doubt, fear, depression and plight are thrust at us constantly but we are above them and stronger. We endure the process to success and continue on its path regardless of the roadblocks.

Paul’s definition of charity far exceeds that which we postulate it to be these days. In fact, throughout his definition he never once says anything about giving money to the poor. He did say, just prior to the above, what charity was not: “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” So charity is more than giving to the poor.

Am I saying don’t give during this special time of year? Of course not, but when we think of Charity, I hope we think of it as not the means of simply giving a few bucks to a homeless person. The greater gift of charity seems to be the bettering of one’s self for the benefit of everyone you are in contact with or can influence. If so, this would mean letting that Christmas Spirit we adore during this season, be sustained throughout the entire year. As to giving to those in need… rarely do people need just money. Give a job, give a hug, give a listening ear, give comfort, give security, give shelter, give hope and give love. Giving money, that’s an elementary sense of charity. Giving yourself… now that’s charity and the real challenge.

About the Author

Scott L. Taylor is the author of The Opportunity In Every Problem” Mentor for unemployed and ex-offenders who are trying to get back into business society, and Director of Sales & Marketing for Cloudia Assistant. He is passionate about leadership, ethics, entrepreneurship, sports, positive reinforcement, motivational thinking, and loves helping individuals and organizations realize their potential and take the steps necessary to achieve it.

For more information, check out his LinkedIn profile, follow him or view the Cloudia Assistant website, www.cloudiaassistant.com.