Levels of Giving
Did you know that there are 8 identified levels of giving? Neither did I until this morning on the weekly vlog that discusses the lectionary texts for the week. Here they are from lowest (8) to highest (1):
8. Begrudgingly giving. This is where you give but aren’t happy about giving. It’s like paying taxes. God will still accept and use such a gift but it goes without saying that one should seek to progress further than this level of giving
7. This is where you give happily but less than you could or should.
6. Direct giving. This is where you give directly to the poor and needy when they ask.
5. This is where you give to the poor and needy without them having to ask. You identify the need and give accordingly.
4. Where the recipients know who you are but you don’t really know them.
3. Where you know to whom your gift goes but the recipient doesn’t know you the giver.
2. Where the giver and receiver knows each other well.
1. Where you give to somebody before that person gets needy. I guess one could call it anticipatory giving.
I don’t want to burden you with yet another checklist to measure your failure with to the myriad that already clutters your life. But when I read through this, it did help me to pray this simple prayer:
“God make me a joyful, generous giver. Amen”.
Have a great week!
Gabriel J Snyman
October 13th 2020