Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you. – Deuteronomy 16:17
Acts of Service
We usually think of donating money as being generous. But, you and your family can serve together in many ways which are completely free. All it will cost you is your time. And the feeling and values you will be instilling in your family will be priceless.
You can:
- Serve the hungry at a food bank or by distributing food at a soup kitchen for the homeless.
- Help a local charity by serving to help set up fundraising events or clean up after them.
- Offer to help the neighbor mow her yard, or give a friend a ride home from school.
- Volunteer to help and serve within your church.
- Volunteer as a family through United Way, Habitat, or other charities.
- There are so many ways you can serve your family, friends, church, neighbors, and community.
Donate Something
You can donate your kids’ outgrown clothes and shoes to children who are younger than yours who would be able to get some use out of them. This is also a great way to recycle and be resourceful with the things we own.
Resale shops or charities that serve women and children, and the needy are always accepting donations of books, appliances, clothing, furniture, and other household items. You will be directly helping these people through your generous donations.
There are special ways you can donate to worthy causes throughout the year, especially at Christmas. Lots of charities and organizations organize delivery of Christmas gifts to children in families who will not be receiving any gifts at all, and you can find special collection drives for needed items. Some of the drives for needy families and children are for:
- toy drives
- warm winter coats
- school supplies
- backpacks for school
Watching your children gain first-hand experience with the impact of their giving will be a treasured family bonding experience you’ll remember forever.
They’ll see how incredibly blessed they are, and how important it is to be a generous and cheerful giver who blesses others.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
Acts of Kindness
Random acts of kindness are an easy and fun way to help spread a giving spirit throughout your family, community, and the world! You can:
- Pay the clerk at the coffee store for the next person who walks up to the counter.
- Bring cookies to the volunteer firefighters in your community. Give someone a hug that needs one.
- Have your children draw or color pictures to take to the hospitals and nursing homes to brighten someone’s day.
- Write a handwritten thank you card to let someone know how much they mean to you.
- Have older kids mentor younger kids in the schools or clubs.
- Bring someone a bouquet of fresh flowers for your yard.
The possibilities are endless! Have fun with this!
You and your family can do something kind for family, friends, or others you meet as you go about your day.
It all starts with one small act of kindness, and that act of kindness ripples out in an endless sea of acts of kindness. Once a person receives an act of kindness, they can’t help but “pay it forward” – or give. It sets off a chain reaction of good and kindness, giving and generosity.
It feels really good to know that your one good deed is hopefully causing others all over the world to do a good deed for someone else and encourage them that there are giving and generous people in this world, and that we are all connected.
So, let not your pocketbook be what rules your choice to give or not to give.
You can give your time, serve, donate, help, encourage, teach, smile, and give. Be creative and come up with more fun and thoughtful ways to be generous as a family. Find more ideas on the Pay It Forward Day website.
In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35
Written by Amber
This blog post is from the Author's perspective and doesn't speak for brightpeak financial. Contact brightpeak if you want to know more about brightpeak products, and keep in mind that they are not available in all states and there are some limitations (some exclusions and restrictions may apply).
