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Wise Generosity

Haiti: Thinking of Wise Generosity

No doubt you have heard about the earthquake and devastation in Haiti, which is just part of an island in the Caribbean, but oh the awfulness of the event, and the suffering and hardships going on there since then. I don’t have a TV, so I’ve been following mostly by radio, but I’ve also taken a bit of time to go online and see some pictures and videos, so I am aware of happenings there. So far I have not had the time, or taken the time to sit down and think things through. What should our response be?

Yes, nations are almost competing with each other to send plane and ship loads of aid, and millions, even billions of dollars, and we should be generous too, but how much of that is going to be wasted while organizations find a footing and a way to be effective? Is generosity good if it is given foolishly?

Some people give a little bit to everyone who comes begging, or who puts on a fund-raiser, but after a while they feel overwhelmed and start complaining that the world is full of hands held out, and they start avoiding all charities – unless they are truly moved by the news media’s pictures.

Personally, I feel an obligation to check things out, look for missions and overseas workers that have a good, working plan in operation, and who manage the gifts they receive very well. Furthermore, I like to take time to pray and listen for the prompting of God’s Spirit in my heart to know when and how much I should give. I do not like to be pressured or shamed into it by outside forces.

There will be a need in Haiti for a long time to come. For now, I’d like to pray that the aid that is rushing in there will be wisely distributed, and that cooler heads, with skills to manage situations will organize the searches, the medical work, and the restoration of that torn and broken place. But I’ll watch for the right moment to step in to help with cash.

Just in the last few months I have become aware of other needy spots in the world, like Pakistan and a number of African countries. Without seeking God’s guidance I really don’t know whom to send the small gifts I can spare.

Beyond that, I do pray and plan for a way to have much more to give. And, I want to have a spiritual filtering system in place, so I can determine my giving more promptly. If you have such an evaluation or filtering grid for making such decisions, I’d love to hear from you.

[Taken from RoseBouquet [mailto:rosebouquet@ruthes-secretroses.com ]

Global Nomad

22 January 2010

 Posted on: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 7:22 am
 Global Nomad's Notes.
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