Riches To Share

By Donna Richmond Wittlif

"Charge...that they have their hope not set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who gives us richly of all thing to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to share" (1 Timothy 6:17, 18).
    This morning Cops Protecting Kids called me. "Can you give a non-tax deductible donation to help us?" the man asked. We get calls like that every week. They all say "non-tax deductible donation". Under the new tax laws, you cannot deduct donations to many causes. These organizations are suffering because many have stopped giving.
    Our contributions to the church are still deductible, but what if they weren't? Would our giving to our church family cease? Would churches be unable to pay their utility bills, buy Bible class materials and the bread and wine for communion, and keep their buildings up? Would they be able to help those in need?
    How deep is our love for Christ's church? For those in the church who are suffering because they lost their job? For people in our neighborhood and our community who are in need? Is our love for Christ and others big enough that we will dig into our pocketbook and pull out some cash or write a check to help someone who is in desperate need?
    This is not to suggest that we need to help every cause that calls us soliciting money. It is not saying that we should give more than we can afford. But our hearts need to be in the right place when it comes to sharing the riches that God gives us. When we help others, God has promised to repay us richly, not only in this life, but in the life to come.
    Jesus said, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38).

- Donna Wittlif, the founder and first editor of BulletinGold, lives in Denver, CO. Donna is also a writer of fiction. Her novels, World Eternal: Promises and World Eternal: Proselytes, and World Eternal: Perils, and her newest book, Finding Her Heart,  are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book outlets. For more information visit her website. http://www.donnarwittlif.com/