Jul
14
Written by:
tim
7/14/2009 8:53 AM
It was just last week when I decided to spend a day with my children going to the zoo. Their mom was still visiting family back in the Ottawa area in Canada and I realized that I'd been so busy just trying to make things work with ministry, sermon prep and being "Mr. Mom" that I was neglecting to be "Dad". So off we went! We filled our backpack with apples, water, sunscreen and laughter, hopped into our van and roared towards the grand possibilities of tigers, sharks, budgies and camels. We parked in the "crab" section of the parking lot.
After taking a couple of moments to recover from the cost of entering the zoo I heard the voice of the lady in the booth still talking to me. The semi-glazed look in my eye clued her into the fact that I didn't totally hear what she said so she repeated it, "Would you like to donate a dollar for conservation? You get a button."
The next 5 seconds flourished with thoughts like, "Conserve what exactly?" and "Would Jesus conserve?" followed by "Whose agenda am I helping to promote when I give that dollar?" finally it was "Why in the world am I having this conversation with myself, it's just a dollar."
"Yeah I'll take the button."
I've been thinking about that experience a little since then. It doesn't just happen at the zoo either, McDonalds and grocery stores often have charities for us to donate towards as we pay for the goods. If I donate my dollar to their cause does that make me generous or foolish? If I say "no" am I selfish and heartless?
I understand why organizations ask for the dollar donation. It is fast and easy and they likely get money from people who wouldn't normally donate because it's a compulsive on the spot gift. I suppose it is for these exact reasons that I rather detest the dollar donation experience. It feels like I'm going through the drive-through of generosity and choosing from the dollar menu. It feels cheap and kind of greasy.
I believe that in our giving we need to be generous, prayerful and purposeful.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2Corinthians 9:6, 7
When we give in the manner talked about in the 2 Corinthians there isn't any feeling of cheap generosity. We're not wondering about where our money is going or what the agenda is. We are free to be totally open handed and joyful in the experience.
I think next time I'll decline the fancy button.
3 comment(s) so far...
Re: Dollar Menu Charity
Absolutely!
By Sarah on
7/16/2009 8:29 AM
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Re: Dollar Menu Charity
Tim, what you say is so true. Following God's direction in giving will always be the right answer. Over the years, Ron and I have made decisions about giving outside the church are are serious about how we go about it. We donate to organizations we have investigated and know that they do not compromise the Word, benefit others, and touch our hearts in some way. That is one great way to glorify God! The dollar thing is somehow strange to me.
Thanks for keeping the main thing the main thing.
By Donna on
7/16/2009 8:29 AM
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office2010
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By office2010 on
4/27/2011 5:33 PM
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