Where should I Give?

I have heard some people say that it doesn't matter who you give to it's your attitude is all that matters. That might be partly true but if you give an obviously deranged person (they are murmuring about killing people) money and they buy a gun and they shoot up a place, I'm not so sure. No, I am sure it was wrong of you. 

This being said there are times that we do give to what seems legitimate causes and the money is misused. In this case, it is absolutely not you. 

Scripture teaches us that we need to be wise (and generous) with our resources. In the above examples, there is a case in which a person is being not the following scripture and a person was trying to. Perhaps in the second case, they should have done some research, but let's assume they did so aren't responsible. 

However, the bigger problem I see is there are so many great causes to give to. 

We are stuck with the question do I give to missions (this gains eternal rewards) but then the Bible (James) teaches that if we only give prayer and not tangible help then we fail. Should I give to those in my community which if you're in the USA means you're giving to the richest people in the world but they are our neighbors and we are to be good to our neighbors. What about starving children, dying patients, curing diseases, environmental causes (this is the only planet we have), and then there is that uncle, child, grandchild, or friend that needs money.   

AHHH!!!

It's enough to lay an eternal guilt trip on you (and some want to) or cause you to quit caring. Both of these are bad and neither are what God wants. So what do we do?

Give wisely.

I could probably write a small book on the subject but to make it simple. 

Do a budget (you will get in a mess if you don't)

1. pay your tithe 

2. pay your bills (you aren't representing Jesus well if you aren't)

3. Decide to give to a cause you believe in (one or two) remember there are others with different passions and they will take care of the rest.

4. set aside an amount to give to things that pull on your heart (impulse giving) don't give more than this.

5. Refuse to feel guilty but don't become jaded.

As stated in #3, there are lots of people in this world and if all do their part the needs will be met. If you try to do everyone else's part you will fail and then no one will be helped. Understand this, you can only control yourself. Don't focus on other people's giving if you do you will be miserable. 

I could say more but I've given enough here. 

God Bless.