What is this Cheerful Giving all about ? 
St. Francis of Assissi says - "In Giving, you will Receive" - What does this great saint know that we do not know in the true application and implementation of this principle ?
Apostle Paul says - "Nobody should seek his own Good but the Good of his Neighbour" ....very strong sentiment if we really stop and think about it....whats does he know spiritually that we can apply in our own lives ?
Jesus Christ says - "Love thy Neighbour as thy self"...what does He mean by that ? He also says, "When you do to the least of the brethren, you do it unto me" and also says "Be a Good Samaritan" to go out of your way to help someone in diffculty....finally he also says that an old lady who gave 2 pennies gave more than thousands of dollars of those days that other people gave because he saw that her heart mattered more than the physical amount and that she gave all she had and gave it cheerfully!
They all are perhaps saying that in some small way, if you participate in being there for another in their hour of need - with your money, your time, your energy or a combination there of, that you are planting a seed care and concern and doing something awesome for them, for yourself and for God! Also, perhaps how you give matters a lot more than how much you give or like Pastor Joel Hunter of Northland Church, of Longwood/Orlando (who believes that we can all learn from each other even as we follow different faiths) says - "Its not your ability that matters but your availability" or what Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church, Houston, who says "Get up everyday and rather than trying to be blessed, do everything in your power to be a blessing to someone else".
...OR IS IT THE HEART TO TELL THE BRAIN?
So, perhaps we can go about our giving of our time, energy and monies
cheerfully, daily and consciously and by...
> Not complaining while giving...
> Not grumbling why we give to a beggar if he is going to buy beer with the money!
> Not wondering if the church is all about and only interested in our money!
> Not thinking why we should waste our time to help someone who needs our time...
> Not worrying about what others think/not think while giving our time, energy or monies...
> Not concerned about vested ineterests while giving to others icheerfully...
> Not bothering so much about how our needs will be met!
So, here are a few ways you can give our time and our money and our energy...
Kiva - Become a bank directly to another deserving soul in another part of the world who needs money to start a business. Often with as little as few hundred dollars. Do your due diligence and take action and please take responsibility for those actions. Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend to unique entrepreneurs around the globe.
Prosper - This organization also helps the poor (in finances) with the rich (in finances) so that needs of both parties are met. Similar to Kiva. It boasts of doing over a hundred and eighty million dollars and over eight hundred thousand members. Please do your due diligence and take action and please take responsibility for those actions. It is a good way some members say they feel they are directly investing into a life somewhere else on the planet and yet get the gratification of earning a better interest rate than most banks.
Run For Freedom - Champions the need to stop human trafficking to put an end to fastest growing criminal industry in the world. A Dynamic Pastor Pasco "Pat" Manzo (with most definitely the full support of his wife Mary Ann Manzo), who helped community and missions work in Rhode Island, Orlando and in Ecuador, most recently served as a Pastor at Calvary Assembly, Orlando. They help restore self esteem ofthose subject to modern day slavery - being sold for sex! We know it exists even today. They are creatively raising finances by sponsoring marathons and walk-a-thons across America, by speaking at public venues, by holding "Dinner & a Movie" events and by peaceful demonstrations wearing orange to proclaim freedom. Please feel free to get involved by directly contacting them if any of the above info tugs at your heart!... I'm doubly sure you will earn spiritual brownie points! :)
wyssyr
