Giving Is Not Only Monetary

One night when our family was out for our nightly walk we came across a car that was having trouble at the intersection. My husband told me that he would catch up with us as he headed towards the car. We continued to walk and inevitably he caught back up with us. His return resulted in my children asking many questions about where he went and why. My husband explained that the man in the car was in trouble and needed his help. He continued to explain that we need to help others who are in need.

After a bit of thought one of my sons asked: “I thought that we help people in need by giving donations”. My husband replied that in some instances people can help the less fortunate by making clothing donations, food donations, or monetary donations; however donations alone are not the only way we could help others.

During this conversation it occurred to me that maybe we needed to teach our sons a bit more about helping others. We have taught them to be kind and giving to their parents and brothers, but maybe more depth was needed in regard to helping others in our community.

“Community is made of the gentle concern that people show each other every day. It’s made of small gestures, of services and sacrifices that say ‘I love you’ and ‘I’m happy to be with you.’ It’s letting the other go in front of you, not trying to prove that you’re right in a discussion; it’s taking small burdens from the other” (Taylor, Gideon  Vanier, 1981, p. 58).

If your neighbor is in need, helping is the right thing to do (if it is safe – we had to infuse a stranger discussion in this conversation to ensure the safety of our children). We continued to explain that giving is not only monetary. Not everyone has the means to make huge monetary gifts; however, everyone is able to give. Big or small it is all the same. People should give to others because they truly want to help. When one gives to another they should not do it for the fame or glory – doing so is an act of selfishness.

Reference

Taylor, P.B., Gideon, M.D., Vanier, J. (Oct 1981). Day in and day out you minister to others but who will minister to you? The answer’s all around you, Nursing, 11(10):58-62.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).