Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
I was thinking this week how I could do a small part to help others out. I was thinking about how I had unwanted items in my house (clothes, books, DVDs, etc). And how we are starting to sell these items (on Ebay, Craig's list, Amazon, etc.). I thought "well, I can't really GIVE these items right to the poor (we do donate to Goodwill..but I was thinking deeper than Goodwill). And then it came to me! I thought "Sell your items and give 100% of the profit to a charity or organization for the hungry, homeless or ill!" Yes, That was a perfect idea! Why didn't I think of that before? It is after all money we weren't counting on. It's extra money, and there are others who need it more than I do.
So my plan is to sell items I no longer want. Sell them anywhere I normally would (online, yard sale, even thrift stores) and then collect the money, and, in one lump sum, give it to Charity.
Do you have unwanted items? What about selling them to help the poor, hungry or homeless (worldwide or local)?? Jesus commands it of us!
I have become a giving adict! I know that sounds funny but it really has become somthing I crave to do. A couple of years ago we were really struggling and Christmas was coming. I was trying to figure out what to do for my kids. I started searching CL in the Free section to see if I might find something for them. I came across an add for a Yahoo group called Santa Sawp. This group was started for families just like me who didn't have the finances to go out and purchase gifts but propably had things around the house we no longer needed or wanted. I joined this group and my life was greatly enriched and blessed. I started seeing how blessed we were in comparission to others and how much we had to give. I started sharing oportunities with my kids where they could bless another child who had NOTHING. That Christmas turned into us scrambling around the house, digging through every closet and toy box finding things we didn't want. We gave away so much that year we completly forgot about getting. To our surprise a member of the group picked my kids to help and gave us a christmas we will never forget. So began our giving addiction. Santa Swap is a year round group and swapping and giving continues all year. Freecycle.org is another group that is just for giving away things you no longer want. We now have a box in the hall that is our give a way box. Any time we come across something we no longer need, outgrow or just feel led to give we stick it in there and I find someone who needs it. I am so greatful we were struggling that year or we never would have had the experiance we did.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing that wonderful story! I want to check out this Santa swap! And I should go on freecycle..wonderful ideas!! God Bless you!
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