Humble is Redefined

The new definition isn't sitting well with me.  With all the new ways to solicit donations on the net, I'm very unsettled that so many folks seem to be establishing themselves or a friend as a not for profit charitable cause, referring to the plan as being "humbled."  These sites not only solicit donations for all sorts of various causes and events, but the websites themselves exact a fee.  I have a problem with this on many levels.  First and foremost, I'm not going to pay a fee to donate.  [PERIOD]  The next concern I have, is the fact that most of this is handled by credit card, and you cannot donate what you don't really have.  A credit donation is really no different in operation than our indebted government with all of it's social services.  By taking needs to an official website to solicit funds, I'm guessing that will be assessed as income for the recipient.  Check the tax laws!  It won't be persecution, if taxes are not paid on income received!  Then there is also the ever expanding list of terrorist organizations.  The penalty for that is certainly not going to land on the politically or religiously well connected, but rather; the poor schlemiel who thought he was helping.

I do take the needs of people very seriously, especially those who do not solicit funds.  I'm going to share my way of reaching out and invite others to share their methods of discernment when it comes to offerings and assistance.  First I ask Abba for the opportunity to be a blessing to someone.  That way, I don't have to go looking and forcing my assistance on anyone.  I've been blessed with the opportunity to send product from my store, at no charge to someone in need.  I also offer financial assistance when I know of a particular need or crisis and usually that information comes from a mutual friend, not the person, themselves.  I don't believe hearing about a need or sharing one is gossip, it's simply a request for prayer or an answer to prayer to be a blessing.

By taking requests and donations to the internet, we've expanded the potential for help, but truly taken the personal touch out of helping.  We've also done something else though.  We've redefined the term humble.  There are a number of people who have no qualms about sharing their financial status and I think that should be more of a private matter.  As times continue to become more difficult, and they will, we really need to be aware that anyone can now solicit donations for anything or anyone, they deem to be a worthy cause.

I've even seen businesses seeking donations to expand their business.  Now that we have finally come to understand our economy cannot really be sustained or grow by just selling each other hamburgers and make-up, we need to realize; only politicians and big name preachers can become prosperous by donation.  Accepting donations is not universally an act of humility.  In many cases, soliciting donations has simply taken the shame out of begging.