Christmas, The Season of Giving
Christmas, The Season of Giving
By: Brandon S.
When we think of the season of Christmas, we often think of giving. Whether it be gifts, cookies, or donations, we tend to give more freely around Christmas time. As a college student, it can be hard to decide how, where, and how much to give, especially when you may not have a lot of financial wiggle room.
How can you Give?
When most people think of giving, they think of monetary donations. While these are helpful and necessary for many charities and nonprofits to do their work, it isn’t the only way to give. If you aren’t in a financial position to donate a substantial amount of money, you can still make a difference by donating in other ways.
You can donate your time by volunteering. Lots of causes need help setting up events, spreading the word about what they’re doing, or creating and managing fundraising opportunities. You can give your time by volunteering for donation drives or donating from your own excess. Things like cans, clothes, toiletries, and toys are always needed by those less fortunate.
You can donate your skill if you are trained or gifted in areas like teaching, coaching, or singing. This also includes using your artistic abilities to make something, or your culinary abilities to cook or bake for someone who needs it. Of course, you can also make a difference by fundraising or donating your own money to causes that you care about.
Where should I give to?
There are many large organizations or charities like Samaritan’s Purse, St. Jude’s Children Hospital, and the Salvation Army. As they are global organizations, they can help numerous amounts of people in need.
Another option would be giving to smaller nonprofit organizations in your area. These nonprofits are smaller in their reach, but donations are more likely to be impactful because they may not have as many resources at their disposal. Smaller organizations may also be local so your donation can help people in your local area that may otherwise not receive help from other sources.
If you don’t want to give to a specific nonprofit or cause, you can also give to your church or a local church who is doing a food drive or sponsoring a specific cause. Giving through a church helps to support the church’s mission and aid with the spread of the gospel through their work.
How much should I give?
There are many different perspectives on how much one should give. A lot of people like to increase their giving during Christmas time, as it is the season of giving. So, the question becomes how much more to give? There is no set amount given by God for how much you should give on a regular basis, or during the Christmas season.
Paul instructs the Corinthians, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver: (2 Corinthians 9:7). God is not as concerned with the monetary value of your donation as He is your heart as you are giving. As long as you are donating happily and doing so not out of obligation, but out of a desire to help others and to allow God to use it for His will, then you are giving correctly. The best advice for how much to give then, is to pray about it and ask God for guidance. Whatever you feel led to give is the amount that you should.
While giving is important as Christians, especially during the Christmas season, it looks different for anyone. How you give depends on your financial situation, your availability, and your personal skills. Where you give depends on which causes are a priority to you. How much you give is dependent on the conviction that God has placed on your heart. So, no matter what giving looks like for you, do so generously and with a happy heart this Christmas season.
