The Holidays: A Fundraising Tsunami

The term "Fundraising Tsunami" may refer to fundraising for tsunami relief, but I feel like there must be a fundraising tsunami in my mailbox since about a week ago. I recognize that we are entering the period referred to as "the holiday season." I am not going to list all the fundraising pieces of mail I received today alone, I'll just tell you the number:15. Yesterday, I got roughly the same number of fundraising letters. If I were to sit down and give to all these organizations, I would spend probably half a day responding just to the ones I received today. I don't mean to sound a like Ebenezer Scrooge here, but seriously? The season of giving, and the season of being guilted to give. They send you all these "free gifts," sometimes sending you the same package of plastic shopping bags, address labels and greeting cards in one package twice in the same week. I don't know what to say about that. They must have quite a fundraising budget to be able to send out so many "free gifts." Most of these organizations, I frankly have never heard of. I can't possibly give to all of them. So, how do I decide? I can't give to everybody. I just can't. I have started keeping track of my giving in a composition book. That kind of helps. I mean a lot depends on how much I can actually afford. But I think more of it depends on where my sphere of influence is. There are needs in my city that should come before a dozen organizations somewhere far off. Perhaps giving should begin in local communities before it becomes a worldwide online effort. But the bottom line for me must be asking God what to do, because it really is overwhelming the number of emails I get from politicians who tell me I'm "their only hope," for example, and rebuking and shaming me for not filling out their most recent "survey," or "questionnaire," that is nothing but another request for another donation. I think the smartphone has not made life any easier in that sense. But, even so, my little mailbox is flooded every day with requests for my money. So, I have to see what the word says. Luke 6:30 says, "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back." I am not sure that applies to every piece of mail I get today, but I am not sure. Because 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 says, "So let each one give as he purposes in his hear, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace about toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: 'He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.'" I know that I have grown up with anxiety about money, with my mom always complaining about the small child support check she received from my dad, and I recognize that is something I need to overcome, and it is my sincere desire to become a better giver. So, after this shallow dive into a deep subject, I have concluded that this matter needs both more study and more prayer--for wisdom and discernment, so I close with these words: Happy Giving to all and to all a Good Night!