Charity
We have a commandment to follow regarding charity and we have a blessing that goes with it. I don't think any of us will argue with this one. Charity is still a focus for all of Yah's children.
We all want to do something for the poor. Some all ready do and are very good at it. Some of us wish to but don't know where to start. Some of us are so busy changing diapers, cooking food, and doing laundry that we can only dream of helping someone else.
We all want to do something for the poor. Some all ready do and are very good at it. Some of us wish to but don't know where to start. Some of us are so busy changing diapers, cooking food, and doing laundry that we can only dream of helping someone else.
As we open our hands to the poor
The commandment and blessing is found in Deuteronomy 15:7-11 and it says,
" 7 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.
8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.
9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
So as we open our hands to the poor and needy, Yah will bless our work and everything we put our hand to.
Start looking around for the charity to which you're attracted. Now, we are just dreaming here, so don't worry about time or money. Just dream! What would you like to support? Would it be something local? Maybe for the homeless in your area? Maybe you want to help children? Or babies? Maybe you want to be involved in Israel helping the needy? Maybe more globally as in joining by prayer and donations to help a group that is already working in areas of need.
Maybe you can start a foundation for a need that will make this world a better place.
" 7 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.
8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.
9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
So as we open our hands to the poor and needy, Yah will bless our work and everything we put our hand to.
Start looking around for the charity to which you're attracted. Now, we are just dreaming here, so don't worry about time or money. Just dream! What would you like to support? Would it be something local? Maybe for the homeless in your area? Maybe you want to help children? Or babies? Maybe you want to be involved in Israel helping the needy? Maybe more globally as in joining by prayer and donations to help a group that is already working in areas of need.
Maybe you can start a foundation for a need that will make this world a better place.
As a family, you can feed the poor and hungry
I have a friend who helped start the soup kitchen in Gainesville, Florida many years ago.
Now he still volunteers there, and he never comes to a Torah meeting empty handed; he always brings boxes of food. He states "It just shows up!" and he has to give it away. Now matter what, he always has food and more than he can use. He is also very busy as he does refrigeration and A/C work. He always tells us he has more work than he can handle and people are always calling to give him work. He never advertises but his work is blessed as you can see from the scripture above it is a promise from Yah that he will bless all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
So back to your assignment of finding a charity.
Take some time and be a little patient (but don't procrastinate and it doesn't have to be perfect either) search your heart and ask Yah to show you where and what he has called you to do for the poor. When you identify it, and it may be more than one, find out what you can do and get started. Maybe it will be prayer for them, or maybe you can afford a regular donation, or maybe you can volunteer on a routine basis.
Don't use your kids as an excuse! As I read the other day, the family of the year was a family that was constantly involved with many charities in their community. As a family, they feed the poor, put clothing on the poor, assist in building projects, etc. All with the kids! I heard one time if your business is struggling, you should volunteer in that area. Let's say you're are a builder, maybe you could volunteer with projects that build housing for the poor or help with repairs for free for the elderly.
Just get started and you will see blessing in your work or business and everything you put your hand on.
These are two charities that our family supports
World Vision
and
Warm Blankets
Charity is a true key in helping to de-clot or unclutter your life so you can figure out or complete your life mission.
You can live the life of peace that you long for.
If you feel held down by your job or business or even your work at home maybe your charity is calling you to freedom.
D'vorah.
