Personally, I feel it necessary to tithe each month, it is just something I have always done and something I will continue to do. Also, I feel that it is my duty, as a human being and as a citizen in my community, to help others. Now is probably when helping others is most needed, however during tough financial times, people, logically, want to hold on to what they have as much as possible. This means not donating food to the food banks, not supporting community non-profits, and not helping out those in need. It's kind of a Catch-22. Here's some ways you can help others in your circle of friends, family, and community (and it won't cost you a lot!):
- Offer to babysit if an unemployed neighbor needs to go apply for a job or just needs a bit of stress-relief time.
- Cook a double-sized dinner and bring the other half to a neighbor.
- Look at the loss leaders at your local store and pick up enough to drop off a bag of food to your local food bank.
- Donate blood or platelets--this could save the life of someone you don't even know.
- If you have a group of friends or neighbors with kids (or adults) who are of similar taste and size, organize a clothes swap once a season.
- Volunteer your time at a local non-profit.
- Get together with friends and share tools and other items which will save them (and you) the price of buying hardly used items.
- Research ways to save money and share ideas with friends and family members.
- If someone you know works hard but has fallen on difficult times and needs one-time help, consider giving without expectation of it being returned if you can afford it.
The idea is to get creative and to give back. No matter how hard times are, helping others is a rewarding, valuable experience.
This is an excellent idea and develops strong bonds between people - and people are the greatest resource one can have during hard times.
ReplyDeleteI find it "ironic".
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young and broke, hungry, homeless, I had to wash par of my only clothes in a public park, wear them wet , the only soap I had was the soap in public restrooms. Hard life, hard times. Nobody care and I made it. I did not whine, I got no public assistance. Finally I got a job, Slept/eat at the shop, got some money , and never went back to those hard times.
If I made it, "why other people cant" ????
There is no shame in been poor.
I would never denied my hard times.
I still poor but able to survive. Have a house cars, and all the extras (like BOL. BOB's and alternative housing.) If i can do that, why these people today can not prepare for what is coming????
No! They see it coming and expect public or private assistance. They will not lift a finger to help themselves......
If an unexepected tragedy comes, then yes, help will be available, but if you procastinate to do something for your family/self, why do you expect to get help????
Yeah, I still will help. Even know that I think these people are STUPID.
True, true. I like the idea of people helping those in the community instead of a non-personal government providing generic assistance. At least in small communities people who are giving know which people are hard working but down on their luck people versus those who are always just looking for a handout.
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