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An analysis of the Forbe's Most Generous Givers list for 2023 revealed that nearly half of the 25 people on the list were Jewish. In America, Jews make up only 2.4% of the population, but in the list of generous givers, almost 50% were Jewish. While folks often make jokes about Jewish frugality, Jews are actually far more generous than most of the rest of us!
That's because tzedakah, or charitable giving, holds an important place in Jewish culture. Many scholars believe that the Mosaic Law actually allowed for a double tithe. (Remember, a tithe is 10% of one's income.) With their first tithe, Jewish people gave back to God, providing for the upkeep of the Tabernacle or Temple and the maintenance of an active priesthood. The "second tithe," another 10%, was then given to charity - to help those in need. For Jews who take their religious heritage seriously, giving this way is simply a matter of obedience to God.
Christians must also obey the commands of God. In Matthew 5:42 (NIV), Jesus commanded, "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." The Apostle Paul tells Timothy how to instruct those who have wealth: "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." No one who desires to obey God can be selfish with their resources.
But for Christians, giving should go beyond obedience. Compassion and concern for others ought to prompt generosity. 1 John 3:17 reads, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" Those who become aware of the needs of others should want to alleviate the need.
Giving often brings reward. Proverbs 11:25 says, "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Giving to get is a selfish strategy, but there's nothing wrong with enjoying the blessings that come from giving to others.
Several years ago, a man wrote me to brag a little about his daughter's generosity: "Over 4 years ago, Hayley chose the mission of donating her hair to Locks of Love when it was long enough to cut and meet their requested length of 12-inch locks. She had read about the mission and saw stories about it on one of her children's programs. She's never swayed in her purpose or mission of giving to help "...some little girl or boy that's not as blessed as I am." Yesterday, she had her hair cut for the first time in her life (with the exception of trims) and she's going to be sending 15 inches of her beautiful, thick locks to Locks of Love to help a child that needs it. It's wonderful to watch and learn from a pure heart that gives just because."
AARP Magazine for June /July 2024 carried a story about Krystal Cable, who was born with a defect on her right leg that necessitated amputation. Afterward, three or four times each year, Krystal visited Shriner's Hospital in St. Louis to have her prosthetic leg resized. Dave Polen, a volunteer with the Hadi Shrine in Evansville, Indiana, often drove Krystal and her Mom 3 hours each way to the appointments. Over the years, Krystal's family grew close to Dave. He was invited to her 2015 wedding.
A few years later, Dave was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure and was told that he needed a kidney transplant. Since Dave knew that Krystal's husband had experienced a liver transplant, Dave called Krystal and asked some questions about the transplant process. During their conversation, Krystal asked, "What's your blood type?" When Dave answered, "A positive," Krystal said "That's what I've got" and immediately offered to be his donor. Dave refused her offer, not wishing to take a kidney away from a young mother. But Krystal kept pushing Dave to accept the donation and, after a year on dialysis, Dave finally agreed. Dave says, "I tell myself every day how blessed I am that Krystal gave me her kidney. I've never been real religious, but I do a lot more praying now."
When you see a need, don't just feel sympathy and hope someone does something about the need. Be someone! Use your time, resources and imagination to meet that need. Not only will the need be satisfied, but you'll be so blessed!