Charity 2 - 2 Corinthians 8:8

I was thinking more about why faith is so strongly linked to generous charitable giving, and I had a couple of thoughts. First is that if we believe that we are children of God, then we would also believe that everyone else are children of God. If we love God and truly understand his love for us, then we would also see that he loves everyone else the same amount. We would want everyone else to be just as happy as we are so we would do what we could to help them, even if it came at a cost to ourselves. I fully realize that learning to love God and other people is not an overnight transition, but during the process, our hearts can be softened not only towards God but towards other people as well. So, first, we begin to care about the welfare of others and that includes their physical wellbeing.

 

Second, giving to others even when you have to sacrifice to do so is an abundance mentality. This means that you can recognize that everything you have is a gift from God and that you are trusting him to continue to give you enough to satisfy your needs. Third, it is obedience to the commandments which always brings safety and blessings. But this is all a process, even Paul recognizes that charitable giving is a personal choice between you and the Lord, saying, “I speak not by commandment.” He’s not saying, “give this certain amount” or anything like that, but he’s asking them to give the amount that the Spirit tells them is appropriate for their situation.

 

Another thought just occurred to me while rereading President Uchtdorf’s comments in the IM from yesterday. He says, “this very hour there are many members of the Church who are suffering. They are hungry, stretched financially, and struggling with all manner of physical, emotional, and spiritual distress. They pray with all the energy of their souls for succor, for relief.” When we give or serve, often we acting in answer to someone’s prayers. Does this make the other person’s faith in us stronger? No, appreciation maybe, but not belief or faith. However, their faith in God can be strengthened, their relationship with him can be made firmer and their testimony fortified.

 

Another thought that I had was, I went to a Juneteenth celebration last Friday and as I was listening to the performances and the speakers I was struck by just how much our society has oppressed certain people to the point where they can’t even function above a survival mode. This celebration was at a park near the temple and I stopped to think that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ, but that doesn’t invalidate the concerns of this people who are fighting for their own freedom. It was very interesting for me to try to reconcile the concept that there could be systematic disenfranchisement within walking distance of the temple.

 

It’s like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, people have to have a certain amount of stability in their lives in order to even consider religion or abstract thought such as that. If someone is struggling to feed their family or to stay safe or to have a place to live, then that is going to be their first priority, 100% 24/7. But if we can help someone meet their basic needs, either through charity or job training or housing assistance or food programs, then their can take time to focus on their relationship with the Savior. So charitable giving is important that way as well, not only to show our love, but to allow others to experience God’s love their them, through answering their prayers, easing their burdens, and giving them emotional space to pursue a relationship with Him.