I love to give charity, but I don’t want to be charity…

[Erin Daubert]

So, I just had an “Ah-ha!” moment and I figured I should share it with someone. I’ve always known God has loved me since I was a child. To me, God has always been all-knowing, all-powerful, and somehow all-forgiving. God’s grace is such an amazing thing that, at times, I almost feel as though it is too much, as though God’s grace isn’t right for me, as though I don’t need it.

But I was reading the book Blue Like Jazz and a few lines in it struck me. The author Donald Miller says, “I love to give charity, but I don’t want to be charity… This is why I have so much trouble with grace. It wasn’t that I cared about my fiends more than myself; it was that I believed I was above the grace of God… I am too prideful to accept the grace of God” (84-85). I love to help others, serve others, forgive others and give of myself. However, I don’t like to accept service or help. If someone wants to give me money, I turn it down. If someone tries to give me a ride to work, I turn it down. If God wants to give me grace, perhaps I’m trying to turn that down too. Do I really feel I’m too good for charity? Maybe it’s just the idea that charity is something only the poor need. Maybe charity has almost a bad connotation now adays.

The dictionary definition of charity includes terms such as “leniency in judging others” and “Christian love; agape.” It isn’t anything that I should be ashamed of needing or something I am too good for. What an amazing thing to realize! I need God to grant leniency in judging me; I need Christian love; I need agape. I need God’s grace whether I admit it or not, so I might as well suck it up and take it. I am in need of charity and God loves me so much that he will give me the grace I need, including forgiving me for thinking I am too good for the grace he offers. I must admit, it’s a bit of a relief to get off my high horse and realize I am not better than anyone else. My bottom was a bit sore from sitting up there so long...

[Caitlin P.]

This post made me think. A lot. I always turned away offers for someone to help me carry something or an offer to pay for my drink at BK. I always thought that I would look weak or poor, and I don't let people help me. I also need to get of my high horse and accept God's charity and the Christian love from others. I realized charity is not giving someone money. It is not judging others and giving a helping hand. but also being able to let others help you. Thank you Erin for making me think and getting me of my high horse.

[Nate Porter]

Preach it!