Is there ever a wrong time to be generous?
The last two months of the year have traditionally been known as “the season of giving.” Whether it is the good cheer of the holidays or the appeal of potential tax deductions, the year’s end seems to prompt charitable giving . . . This year, I expect that end-of-year appeals will feature a double plea for generosity. Not only will they rely on the tried and true annual “season of giving” sentiment, but they will also likely include some version of the nearly ubiquitous theme:
In these tough economic times…
Now more than ever…
In today’s climate…
. . . But what are we really saying? If we are saying that this is the season for giving or that current economic conditions merit increased generosity, aren’t we implying that giving is unnecessary at other times of the year or when the American economy is strong?
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I love this article. I definitely agree that there isn’t a wrong time to be generous. As Christians, we are called to give to those who are less fortunate. It doesn’t say in the Bible that we should be generous if. If it’s a holiday, if we have excess. It says we should give, period. That said, a lot of people don’t know the Lord and don’t read His word. To them, to give is a burden. But even those who don’t believe are seemingly more generous around the holidays. I think since unbelievers are typically more generous around Christmas, it is a great time to plant seeds. We can be an example of Christ in hopes that our actions will show a light that others want to capture for themselves.
In my family, one parent is a believer and the other is not. I wonder if my parent who is a believer, should force the other to give, or give without them knowing. I know that God loves a cheerful giver. But does that mean you shouldn’t give if you aren’t that positive about it? I believe you should give no matter how you feel about it. We are called to be obedient to Christ, not to follow our feelings. I think that God will give you the desire to be generous even when you’ve had to force yourself in the past. For example, say you wake up in a rotten mood and just want to stay in bed, but you force yourself to get up and go about your daily activities and wind up having a great day. I feel that is a blessing for persistence and obedience.
I also want to add that being generous doesn’t necessarily have to be financially. You can be generous with your time and talents as well. Just a thought.
Thanks for sharing this article with us. Merry Christmas!