I believe that giving should generally be kept close to home as well. I used to give to the beggars on the street whenever I saw one. The Spirit would warn me beforehand, tell me which lane to get in as I was driving or tell me to get cash out of my wallet and get it ready, and sure enough, I would see someone standing on a corner with a cardboard sign.Separatist wrote:This is all very manipulative. Throwing guilt on others who don't see it your way. Don't we get enough of that on Sunday's? The pure love of Christ does not equal our back pockets.Jules wrote:The very fact that there ARE poor among us. It's in the scriptures, and it's all around us. Jesus; King Benjamin; Joseph Smith - this is nothing new. Either is the pride and fear of the poor that keeps people from loving them.shadow wrote:Where's some examples of this "pride and fear of the poor" you speak of.Jules wrote:I hope that somewhere among the pride and fear of the poor, there will be help for your friend. I wish I had an extra car for her or the money to get her one. I will check back here if I come across some options.
She's a struggling single mom with health issues and an abusive ex for crying out loud, and yet she's vilified as if she is a criminal, or lazy, or ignorant, or whatever other excuse not to simply extend the pure love of Christ, that is pulled out of someone's back pocket.
Oh but wait - we know much better than that stupid, incompetent woman, and we certainly have the right to correct the Savior and other prophets who told us to provide the needs and wants of the poor, and let them keep on begging.
I've come to the conclusion that all true charity it local. It ought to be up close and personal, where local parties have local knowledge and act accordingly. Soliciting charity on anonymous internet forums and then berating those who question is damn sick. And the berating always seems to come from those who can't even help themselves. The locals who know her should take care of the issue with other locals who know her.
You work in your part of the vineyard and I'll work in mine. How's that for charity?
Good day.
There came a time, though, when I wasn't able to give to the people on the corners anymore and every time I passed them up, I felt sorrow in my heart. One day, as I was passing a person with a sign, the Spirit impressed upon me that those people wouldn't be there if they had family and friends who were looking out for them. After that, I began to focus on doing whatever I could for those I love who needed help, so they never felt like they would have to stand on a corner with a sign. When I pass the people with signs, I send them love and truly say in my heart that I would give if I could, but I can't. I can't because the people I know come first and I just don't have the resources to help everyone. I still give if the Spirit tells me to, or if someone asks me directly themselves. Otherwise, I accept peace knowing that I am doing my best and am not passing anyone up out of pride or selfishness.
True charity is the pure love of Christ. It isn't encased by boundaries of knowing someone or whether or not they live near you. Jesus loves everyone. I believe we can feel love for everyone ourselves. But I do believe that those under our stewardship need to come first when it comes to giving.
There are those who can afford to look outside their immediate circles to give. Additionally, there are those on this forum I feel connected to, who are like family to me. I know people on here have given generously in the past. I hope a few feel inclined to give again. There are so many needs in the world and we can't do much alone. But if we can work together, we could do some great things.