Biblical finance 5: Give to the poor.
In addition to its advice on giving in general, Proverbs is packed full of verses that speak specifically to helping the poor.
14:31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,
but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will repay him for his deed.
21:13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself call out and not be answered.
28:27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want,
but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
Last Christmas, a friend of mine was a Salvation Army bell-ringer–online. She sent out e-mails to people, saying she was collecting money in an online red can, so to speak, and the money when to SA. I thought that was a pretty cool idea. Do any of y’all have other favorite charities that help the poor? I’d really like to set up a regular monthly donation to an organization like that.
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6 Responses to “Biblical finance 5: Give to the poor.”
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I don’t donate money to charities because so many are loaded with admin expenses. What I do instead is give directly to the people such as the homeless or volunteer to donate food or clothing.
But I did make an exception last week. A girl was coming by asking for donations for this homeless shelter nonprofit. I obliged after reading the brochure and some of the partnerships they’ve already developed. Just hearing those things legitimized the cause and my reason for giving. But the best part is I’ll have an opportunity to volunteer and reach out to local restaurants/bakeries in my neighborhood to donate their leftovers at the end of the day to the shelter. It can’t get better than that.
SF: I like what you wrote about giving directly to the people who need money. And that’s wonderful you’re able to volunteer at a local place. Awesome.
I just found your blog, browsing before I begin my workday. I donate to my local United Way. I (am pretty sure that I) make less than you, or most of your readers, but I donate about $750/year to them via payroll deduction at work. It’s painless. Every year, when I up my 401K contribution, I increase my United Way donation. Via the United Way, I am able to earmark portions of that amount to member organizations, so I earmark about half to a local clinic that offers free health care to people without insurance, and allow the rest to go into the general coffers.
I also make yearly donations to: the two local public radio stations to which I listen, the Nature Conservancy, and the Sierra Club, since they are particularly active in my state.
I also donate time, specifically training and working as an income tax preparer for a VITA campaign. It’s a great way to give very direct aid to people. We target low income folks - especially those eligible for the EITC, but we serve everyone, as long as their tax situation is not complicated (i.e. only business profits, no complicated depreciation, only straightforward stock transactions).
I do not donate based on phone solicitation, as I don’t want my money going to professional solicitors. However: charity requires administration by competent professionals - that’s the world we live in. I don’t mind that some portion of my donation goes to pay the salaries of United Way employees, or the administrator and daily staff at the medical outreach program I support - those folks are necessary to its ongoing function, make less money than they would with the same skills in the private sector, and make it possible for me to help more people in ways I can’t imagine doing otherwise. (Tooth extractions? Assistance with drug costs? Not me.)
[...] Sep 25th, 2007 by gradgirl A while ago, I wrote about the Biblical principle about helping the poor. [...]
I am a tither and I also have a monthly contribution automatically deducted from my accout for FEED THE CHILDREN.
[...] A while ago, I wrote about the Biblical principle about helping the poor. [...]