Charity                                                                                    Charity                                   An offering of thanks to God                                                   by Mrs. Sharon White        Isn’t it wonderful to give to those in need? It gives us such a warm feeling of joy and purpose. The virtuous women reached out her hand to the poor. It was something she did on a regular basis.      In these days, it seems like all we do is write out a check to the local church and then do our duty by donating food during the holiday season. Charity seems to be a lost art. But I think we can change that. I want to give you a picture of a charitable heart. A mother who adores her family and God and, with a heart of thanks, gives to those who have little or nothing.        Maybe she buys extra food each week and puts it into a box. This box fills up continuously and by month’s end, she is ready to take it to either a food pantry or a neighbor in need. This box will hold good food. Not store brand cast-offs. It will contain new foods, not something found in the back of her cabinet that no one wanted. She gives the first fruits, the best of her offerings to God, not the dregs of her surplus.        Then she has a coffee can in her kitchen. It is empty and decorated by her children with Bible verses and pictures of giving. Whenever change is found around the house, it goes into this can. Perhaps the children put their tithe in there? Perhaps the few pennies found on the street make their way into this treasured can? At the end of each month, she’ll have her children roll up those coins and count those dollars. This money is then given to a local homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, an old age home, or a local family in need.         When it is time to clean out the closets, she piles up a chair with clothing discards to give away. She does not sell them to a consignment shop, or sell them to others. No, she cleans them, makes them smell good and repairs them. All missing buttons replaced. All ripped seams mended. The clothes neatly ironed. And then she is ready. She carefully folds the clothes and puts them in a box. This she takes to either a needy family, or the Salvation Army. She does not selfishly keep items her family no longer needs. Her heart knows there are other people out there, right in her own area, who are cold and hungry and not properly dressed. So she gets these items ready for these families.        So many people think they have to wait until they get their own finances in order before they help others. They have a hard enough time, after all, just struggling to make ends meet. Oh, but I think we can all give a bit of the “widow’s mite.” I think we can, every one of us, fill the need in the world around us by helping those less fortunate. Imagine if we waited? Imagine how many crying children there would be? How many families go hungry or malnourished, because we, with our full stomachs, couldn’t bear to part with just a little every week to help others? Now think about the years that would go by. The time it takes for us to “be in a position” to give? I don’t think it will ever happen. No, not with that mind-set. The Biblical tithe was a way for everything to even out. The 11 tribes gave to the 12th tribe (the Levites) who were the priests and did the work of the Lord. The Levites had no income or way to feed themselves without the offerings of the rest of their brethren. Could we be any more selfish, dear Mothers? Can we continue on with this indifference of those who cry and weep out to God for help? Are we really that cold hearted? I don’t think we are. I think we just need a little nudge. We all long to help. We adore the idea of charity and want the blessing of giving without asking for something in return.          I urge you to begin today. Take out that box and set it up in your closet. Here is where you’ll put the best foods, the best clothes and the best money. It is your first-fruits, your thank offering to God. We can no longer enjoy the blessings of life, while ignoring the very hand who feeds us.           Maybe no one will ever know what you are doing. Perhaps Your name is not listed on the donations. But your children will know. And God knows. This art of charity will become your hobby. It is something you’ll think about each and every day. How can I help? Should be the cry from every Mother’s heart. I pray that each of your homes becomes the central location of missionary work in our society. Site Index