Proverbs 31 Challenge: Giving

She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

Proverbs 31:20

According to the National Philanthropic Trust, 89% of American households donate to charity. Wow, America sounds pretty giving, right? Right. Until you find out the median household income is around $52,000 and we only average $1,600 in annual donations. If I were better at math, I'd find out what percentage that is exactly.

I think we all like to believe we're pretty giving. No one wants to consider themselves a scrooge, after all. I'm even tempted to say, "Hey, if that's the American average, then means I'm above average! No need to change anything!" Even if you give your full tithe, sponsor a child, and donate to your local Christian radio station, there's always more you can do.

The Proverbs 31 woman wasn't stingy with her donations. She didn't wait for a disaster to strike in order to give. Her hand was open to the poor; she reached out to them. She wasn't one to wait, expecting the poor to come to her and beg for help. She looked for them and looked to help them.

I'm sure this doesn't mean she simply gave them money. Donating money is probably the easiest thing to do in America. It doesn't take much sacrifice, since money (even during recession) is abundant. It doesn't take much time or effort, either, especially with text message and online facilitators. Worst, it doesn't fill the most urgent and desperate need: the need to hear the gospel. Giving money is good, but it should only be the beginning of our giving.

This week's challenge might be to start carrying a bit of change in your purse or car to hand out to people in need. It might be to make a habit of volunteering at a nearby shelter. It might be to commit to sponsoring a child in Bolivia and writing to him for the next 10 years. Whatever you may choose to do, reach out to the poor giving not only your money, but also your time and the gospel.