We attend a congregation which stresses "giving". It seems to work. The church keeps current, serves the community, invites and includes a wide representation of people, and grows their children and youth well. I wonder about giving, sometimes. . .
Does a person "give" because of commitment? Is that a place to begin? When I was young I was exposed to the value of giving ten percent of my income. I have continued to do so all my life, and although I have been nearly broke several times, I always had a quarter in my pocket. For me, starting with commitment makes sense.
I have friends, however, who start with the need for one or more tax deductions. If they have a good year in the market, or have sold property at a substantial profit, they look for a cause to give to. A worthy cause. Church, United Way, a food bank, American Cancer Society. . . there is no shortage of worthy causes to which to give.
I wonder, however, what kinds of people will stop giving we we revise our tax code, simplifying it, giving no deduction for charitable giving. Will medical research be crippled? Will churches close? Will Boys and Girls Clubs, Scouts, and other vital community programs become footnotes in history textbooks?
Where does it work best to start? From within, from cultivating a generous self, from sensing value in worthy causes? Or, from a sense of monetary self-interest?
What do you think? Leave a comment and let us know.
No comments:
Post a Comment