Does your mailbox fill up with letters asking for donations? Mine used to, but I get fewer requests than I used to. Sometimes they entice me with free gifts: notepads, personalized return address stickers, Christmas cards, bookmarks, etc. All ask for a donation toward their cause. And nearly all are worthwhile causes that I agree with. But, I just can't give to them all. Actually I don't give to any of them and I feel guilty about it.
My parents, gone now for more than 20 years, were on nearly every mailing list imaginable. They enjoyed getting "free" stuff, but they gave monetary gifts to them in return. It seemed that the requesters must have sold mailing lists of those who sent donations, because there were more and more requests coming in every year.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows," (James 1:17 NIV).
Many of the requests for donations are from above-board, reputable organizations, with causes I would like to support. We choose to give what money we have locally, especially to our church or to those with ties to people we know.
Lord God, thank You for the gifts You place in our possession. Help us use those gifts in ways that are pleasing to You. Give us discernment through the Holy Spirit to know what is right and true. We pray in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
To God Be the Glory!
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