Giving back to others

[HNA444]

How often should we give charity or help to the poor? Does giving money for the collection at Sunday mass count?

I try to help the needy, and even trying to find a career in a helping field, but at the moment I don’t give as much as I probably should. So, i was wondering how often we should, and if it’s a sin if we don’t give.

 

[the_phoenix]

Reading From a sermon by Pope St Leo the Great

universalis.com/20110405/readings.htm

In praise of charity

In John’s gospel the Lord says: By this love you have for one another, everyone will know you are my disciples. In a letter by John we read: My dear people, let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love.

So the faithful should look into themselves and carefully examine their minds and the impulses of their hearts. If they find some of the fruits of love stored in their hearts then they must not doubt God’s presence within them, but to make themselves more and more able to receive so great a guest they should do more and more works of durable mercy and kindness. After all, if God is love, charity should know no limit, for God himself cannot be confined within limits.

What is the appropriate time for performing works of charity? My beloved children, any time is the right time, but these days of Lent provide a special encouragement. Those who want to be present at the Lord’s Passover in holiness of mind and body should seek above all to win this grace. Charity contains all other virtues and covers a multitude of sins.

As we prepare to celebrate that greatest of all mysteries, by which the blood of Jesus Christ destroyed our sins, let us first of all make ready the sacrificial offerings — that is, our works of mercy. What God in his goodness has already given to us, let us give it to those who have sinned against us.

And to the poor also, and to those who are afflicted in various ways, let us show a more open-handed generosity so that God may be thanked through many voices and the needy may be fed as a result of our fasting. No act of devotion on the part of the faithful gives God more pleasure than the support that is lavished on his poor. Where God finds charity with its loving concern, there he recognises the reflection of his own fatherly care.

Do not be put off giving by a lack of resources. A generous spirit is itself great wealth, and there can be no shortage of material for generosity where it is Christ who feeds and Christ who is fed. His hand is present in all this activity: his hand, which multiplies the bread by breaking it and increases it by giving it away.

When you give alms, do not be anxious but full of happiness. The greatest treasure will go to the one who has kept the least for himself. The holy apostle Paul tells us: He who provides seed for the sower will give bread for food, provide you with more seed, and increase the harvest of your goodness, in Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

 

[Padraig1972]

I give alms to the church at every mass-every time i visit the church. Because i think they need it much more than i do.

For 15 years i have been living under poorer conditions, but have managed to get rid of debts and felt the Lords mercy. Now i wish to help others as best as best as possible.

So every friday, i donate a certain-set sum to Caritas and if i see someone in need, i try to help them as best as possible.

 

[HNA444]

I give alms to the church at every mass-every time i visit the church. Because i think they need it much more than i do.

For 15 years i have been living under poorer conditions, but have managed to get rid of debts and felt the Lords mercy. Now i wish to help others as best as best as possible.

So every friday, i donate a certain-set sum to Caritas and if i see someone in need, i try to help them as best as possible.

that’s a nice idea - donating a certain amount one day out of the week.

 

[Rascalking]

I think it’s important to remember just to give when you can and what you can. Remember that no one person can help everyone with their troubles, finical or otherwise. Just do what you can and don’t feel guilty.

 

[HNA444]

I think it’s important to remember just to give when you can and what you can. Remember that no one person can help everyone with their troubles, finical or otherwise. Just do what you can and don’t feel guilty.

Thank you!

 

[GratefulFred]

Giving $5,000 begrudgingly out of sense of duty (or else) is worth so much less than giving a homeless person $5 out of love and empathy with smile and a word of encouragement.

Christ calls us to love one another as best we can (we are imperfect). To whom more is given, more is expected. How much we give how often is a matter of personal conscience.

To paraphrase Mother Theresa: Most of us are not called to great things. All of us are called to do small things with great love. Daily.

 

[Rascalking]

Giving $5,000 begrudgingly out of sense of duty (or else) is worth so much less than giving a homeless person $5 out of love and empathy with smile and a word of encouragement.

Christ calls us to love one another as best we can (we are imperfect). To whom more is given, more is expected. How much we give how often is a matter of personal conscience.

To paraphrase Mother Theresa: Most of us are not called to great things. All of us are called to do small things with great love. Daily.

Feelings are sort of irrelevant when your giving to charity. A person getting the money really won’t care how your feeling when you give.

 

[Beth_Cecilia]

Feelings are sort of irrelevant when your giving to charity. A person getting the money really won’t care how your feeling when you give.

The person in need may not care, but God does. Motive matters in this, and all things. Giving for love is a greater act than giving out of some sense of duty. The person in need may not care if their aid comes from someone who can barely afford to give it, or if that same aid came from someone to whom that money is pocket change. But we know who has made the better sacrifice, who has loved more.