Christmas giving and helping those in need

In my last blog, I posted a video where Mr. Stossle reported many people are scamming us out of money this time of year by pleading with you to donate while they line their pockets. Although running a non-profit does take money, some are benefitting too much or they are putting the money straight into their own pockets, without anything benefiting those you thought it would. I posted his video below about a homeless man scamming people in NYC.

 

If you are concerned about the legitimacy of the donation collector, you could check with the better business bureau, or maybe to be safe, you should donate to the salvation army, or better yet, go out yourself and find someone who needs help. There are plenty of us out here who legitimatly need help. We all need to help each other like the Acts church in the Bible, God says to share all you have so no one is above the other and so no one is in need. These are some rough times, with much of the nation unemployed, or under-employed, many are resorting to doing the unthinkable. I read a report that stated theft in retail stores had increased by around 10% or so this year. Those who otherwise would buy, are taking. The thing is that many of them, if not all, have their basic needs met, with food in their pantries, and a roof over their heads. They somehow feel entitled or obligated to have the best in life and can not afford those things any more in this economy, so they are taking it. 

 

The question posed was, what will people resort to when the cupboard is bare and they lose their homes. Makes for a scarey situation when you think about it. It also shows with the decline in morals in our country, we see a lack of remorse for things previously considered completely immoral and unthinkable. Somehow many of us have regressed morally and need repentance to heal our land. This is a sign to me there is a great need for more ministry, witnessing, and misionary work to be done here at home. The church needs to step up and reach out, with brave unwavering Biblical truth to our hurting and wondering Nation. Consider reaching out this Holiday season, by sharing the faith and love of Jesus and extending our gifts and talents to those in need.

 

2 Corinthians 8:7 (New International Version)

⁷But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us^[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Footnotes:

1. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts in our love for you 

 

Step next door, or down the road, leave a basket at a doorstep or call the utility company and pay someone's utility bill, shovel a sidewalk, stop in and visit a lonely person. We can use our talents to assist our friends and neighbors with things they need help with, like fixing their house, car, babysitting, housework, yard work, the ideas are endless.

 

There are many ways we are able to reach out to each other, all year long, and even more so at this wonderful time of year at the celebration of Jesus's birth.

 

Be the Acts Church!

 

:0) God Bless and Have a very Merry Christmas! :0) Hugs to all my readers.