It Feels Good to Give

Philanthropy is a big word that refers to giving not only money, butalso basic goodwill or acts of kindness toward others. The root of thefirst part of the word, "phil" or "philos" comes from Greek, meaningfriendly, loving or dear. We know it from its use in the city name,Philadelphia, which traditionally translated from the Greek means "cityof brotherly love." Not too politically correct these days, but you getthe idea.

When recently served on a judging committee for our local Philanthropy Day, the committee members commented on how wonderful it is that we live in a community where people contribute so much. And I know that thenominations didn't begin to scratch the surface of hundreds of others,in our community alone, who give every day of their time, gifts and money.It was noted that one nominee had taken to just leaving phone messagessaying "I'm giving your school another half a million." Wouldn't it befun to be able to give like that, and also to treat your wealth thatlightly? I think such an attitude says, commendably, the giver doesn'tthink of himself more highly than he ought to think.

I know that our community is not alone in being generous. This fall in particular, we've seen an enormous outpouring of bigheartedness toward the families of the September 11 victims.

In every community, year round, there are volunteers and people who givetheir time and money to help everything from the peewee football league,to blood drives, to AIDS education, to construct houses, to print Biblesin China. There are women who spend hours each week hefting huge garbagebags of donated clothing in order to hang it up nicely so that people canpick out free clothes. There are women who painstakingly quilt beautifulworks of art which are sold at auction. There are men who get up at 3a.m. to barbecue chicken to provide scholarships for needy college-boundstudents. There are college students who help disabled childrenride horseback for their therapy, and who take time out of their schedulesto give out free food at the food pantry. I know a woman who, afterputting in long hours teaching school, preparing lessons andparticipating in the normal extracurricular school activities, stillfinds time to volunteer at the public television station.

Givers come in all shapes and sizes. Children can learn to give even apart of their allowance, whether that is only a dime out of a dollar. Inthe philanthropy nominations I helped to judge, one giver was cited notso much for the amount of his gifts, but because proportionally theyrepresented a significant part of his rather average income.

During this season, we rightfully spend time reflecting on all that wehave been given, and thanking God for that. It feels good to count one'sblessings. But it also feels really good to give back. Like the verse inthe Bible that says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts20:35). And remember: you give not for glory or to be recognized, oreven to "feel good." To be a true philanthropist, you give because youlove others, and because it is the right thing to do.

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Contributed by Melodie Davis from her weekly columnANOTHER WAY (http://www.thirdway.com/aw/).For information on using Another Way in a local newspaper, contact:ANOTHER WAY, 1251 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801-2497; or call1-800-999-3534; fax at 540-434-5556; or email me at:Melodie@mennomedia.org