Charity

Why is it charity comes so easily to some and not to others? Not just the “doing” of charity. Some so clearly see the needs around them and are able to respond in a way that best serves those needs.

In reading Corrie Ten Booms book, The Hiding Place, I am struck by both the generosity of her family and the way their charity towards others is just a natural part of their everyday living. Granted, times were different back in the early 1900s – towns and neighborhoods had a sense of community that is often missing today. Then, communities were tight knit and those who made deliveries such as the mailman, and the milkman, as well as the policemen and others, were well known by those they served. At Corrie’s house, there was always a pot of soup on the stove and coffee brewing for anyone who came by. Corrie’s mother knitted and sewed for those less fortunate not even realizing their family would be included in that group by outside observers. Even after her cerebral hemorrhage, which left her unable to speak words other than yes, no, and Corrie, Mama Ten Boom continued to send letters to those who needed comfort (you’ll have to read the book to see how she was able to do this.)

Being charitable to one’s neighbors came naturally to Corrie’s family. After the death of his wife, Casper Ten Boom and his two daughters, Corrie and Betsie, took in 11 children over the years raising them into adulthood.

The things the Ten Booms did for others were done without a big family discussion; there was no long analysis to determine if any of this fit into their lifestyle. This was their lifestyle. Helping people came as naturally to them as breathing.

Why then, is it a struggle for some of us? We have a million excuses ranging from I’m too busy to I’m too busy. Yes, I said that twice because no matter what excuse is given, behind it is the implication “my life is full of things important to me and therefore leaves me no time for others.” And therein lies the problem.

Corrie’s family was busy. Her father was a watchmaker. He worked long hours to support his family. Besides his wife and two daughters, his family consisted of a son and another daughter as well as his wife’s three sisters all living under one roof. Where our lives today center around “us”, the Ten Boom’s lives centered on living Godly principles and serving those around them. The principles they embraced included loving and being of service to others.

Today, we are focused on our jobs, saving for retirement, putting our children into multiple activities, having fun, and making sure we keep up with the Jones’s. Ask someone who claims to be “too busy” how much television s/he watches in a week. Ask them how much time is spent on their computers whether on social media or surfing the internet. Ask them how much time they spend figuring out how they can have fun, how they can buy or achieve more things, or how they can make their lives “better” which usually means material goods. From personal experience, if I cut back on just one of these activities, I would have several hours a week I could use to help others.

The simplicity of how the Ten Booms helped others was also striking – knitting or sewing a blanket for someone, sending a card to someone unable to get out of their home because of illness or injury or making a pot of soup for a family that is struggling to make ends meet. Think about it. Don’t have the time or skill to make something – you can purchase blankets inexpensively on-line. You can go to a thrift store and purchase clothing for pennies on the dollar you could then donate to homeless people you see on the street. I have a friend who can barely make ends meet due to health issues. Yet she purchases water and breakfast bars, puts them in little bags and when she sees someone begging, this is what she gives them. It’s not much, but it’s something.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard
work we must help the weak, remembering the words the
Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35

I believe we have become so focused on our needs, our wants, our families, ourselves, that we forget we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. The Lord’s Prayer begins “OUR Father” – not my father or my family’s father. God is the Father of all. Ignoring the needs of those around us means we are ignoring the needs of our family – our brothers, and our sisters. Like it or not, God created all of us and we are therefore, all related.

How will you begin to incorporate charity into your everyday life? Leave a comment below and share your ideas. Let’s make our communities a better place one small act of kindness at a time.

Just for today, won’t you incorporate one or two small acts of charity into your day and help make this world a better place for all of us?

Have a blessed day!

– PSG –