Because YOU Have the Bone…

We throw the word charity around a lot. We donate to charity, we give money to charity, we work through various organizations that are classified as charities. When I read this quote I was struck by the way it reminded us about the true meaning of charity. Charity is not just the process of giving, it is the mindset and motivation behind it that truly matters.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we have all experienced moments of charity in our lives. Sometimes we were on the giving end of things and other times we were the recipients. We feel generous and sometimes magnanimous when we talk about how much we give, and we may feel a bit humbled and blessed when we talk about how much we have received. Both sides of that equation involve gifts – giving and receiving. Knowing the blessing of both sides means we are well rounded people, as none of us ride high on the hog all the time. We all need help every now and then. When we give to be able to tell people we give, or check a box on our tax returns, that is when we need to check our motives and reflect on our attitude towards giving.

Some of my best experiences with charity – giving and receiving – were when I was in need and someone who had not much more than me pitched in to help me get over the hump. And as the giver, knowing I was tight, tired, or just getting by, it meant a great deal for me to dig deep and give when I too was right on the edge. It is our attitude about when, how and why we give that matters not just what we give. Sure there is money, old items we no longer utilize, even our time. All of those things are amazing parts of our lives we can share. And when we reflect and give out of compassion and our own need, THAT is when charity is done right.

If you have been fortunate, people have given to you – invested into your life – and that has made you who you are today. Maybe today is your chance to pay them back by investing in someone you know that needs a boost. To truly give of ourselves, to give out of our own need, to give because it helps us more than we can help them – THAT is when charity does it’s best work. Not because you can then tell people, or not because it makes you feel better, because you have the bone and both of you are hungry.

Let me encourage you to give what you need in order to feed both yourself and the other person. For one day you too will be the dog that is hungry, and you will hope that someone who is also hungry will share their bone with you.