Preparing for Generosity

There's nothing like being in a start-up company to make cash flow a prominent concern in life. It's also a wonderful opportunity to trust God to fulfill His many promises of provision and care. But in this situation I'm challenged to think beyond my personal needs. In this current recession, I keep thinking about the Y2K reactions of nearly a decade ago. Many people (Christians included) had a bunker mentality, stockpiling for themselves, instead of thinking about how to be a means of blessing in a terrible situation. By the grace of God, Y2K wasn't the doomsday situation so many predicted. And now we have the opportunity to rethink that approach in our current recession.

Michelle Singletary is a financial columnist for the Washington Post and her no-nonsense counsel ensures I read her column faithfully. This past Sunday, she wrote about how one woman has set aside money to help other in need and how her church is preparing to be generous: 

While many people are carping and complaining about the federal initiatives created to try to keep people from losing their homes or jobs or health care, all across the country, there are others who are helping -- without judgment, without requiring that people prove they weren't irresponsible before being considered worthy of aid. These folks, although also frustrated about the economy and the people who pushed us into this crisis, are pulling money out of their own savings, taking relatives or strangers into their homes or creating programs to help the financially broken.

Geneva Pearson had an idea to help people save money during the downturn. Pearson, who attends my church, First Baptist Church of Glenarden, recently coordinated a household item exchange. Women brought in fine china, cutlery, top-of-the-line crystal, small appliances, bed linens, comforter sets, and lamps, not to sell but to pass on.

"Sisters also came in with floral arrangements, towels, fine art, photo frames and accessories, wall art, window shades and curtains," Pearson said. "There was even a chandelier and a brand new toilet seat. It was wonderful to hear ladies as they exclaimed about items being an answer to their prayer or 'just what I needed.' "

During the giveaway, one woman was presented with accessories for an entire living room, another got a needed queen-sized bed. Someone moving into her first apartment got a television.

"We historically have shared second-time-around clothing, food during the holidays, and coats during the cold months, but we hesitate to give up our good household stuff although we no longer use it," Pearson said.

I love what Pearson said about the event's vision. It was an opportunity for people to "share out of their abundance."

What stories do you have about preparing to help those in need? Please leave a comment on this blog and also feel free to email Michelle directly. She is looking to highlight the stories of people across the country who are willing to give their time or resources, or both, to be their brother's keeper. Send an email to colorofmoney@washpost.com and title it, "I am my brother's keeper."

Comments

[bethany]

My husband and I are giving part of our tax return to our church's compassion ministry so they can help people they know of who are having a hard time financially.

[Jessica]

My church has partcipated in, I believe a year or two ago, in Angel Food Ministry. It was based out of the south but has moved up to the New England area. Angel Food Ministries is basically ordering as much food as one would buy for groceries at half or more than half the cost. Our church was the first "site" that the food was delievered to and ever since then, churches from all over the north have been trained to have their churches be sites to administer food. Its been such a blessing. People at our church use it for themselves or buy a box of food to give to someone else. If you want to know more about it, I can find out for you.

[Mrs. Taft]

We budget money to give every month--it is unspecified money, we give where it needs to be given at the time. It feels weird to talk about all the things we do, so I won't, because it feels arrogant. I just think it's important to give to people in need, and let's just say we practice this with our children and make sure that we support our family and friends and community and causes.

[Sheila Aichele]

Just four months ago, our church was wondering if we could keep our doors open. We are a small church with very few members and many have suffered through job loss, etc, so tithing was down. We looked at every area we could cut expenses in order to keep going. We had a "family meeting" to let the body know where we were at financially and what the future might hold (possibly giving up our building, looking at other places of worship, combining with another small church, etc). We committed to praying for the future and trusting the Lord, whatever He would have us do or see fit.

Well, only 4 months later, by the grace of God, we have met our budget in excess every month. Not only that, we have been able to help members of our church who are struggling financially. Every month (after expenses), we have been able to give at least 1000 dollars to various families in the body that need help. This is not because we have increased in numbers or members, but because those in our church body that have been blessed continue to give in abundance. It is amazing to see how our church family has joined hands during this time to say "I have been blessed, rather than using my money for something else, here is an extra 50 or 100 to help someone that needs it." Oh what a blessing it has been! Praise God!