Charitable Giving Engages the thoughts, hearts, and hands of many. This widespread investment of money and time, aside from the influence of tax incentives, is most often motivated by a desire to enhance the greater good of humanity. At the same time, fundraising programs may be met with skepticism, distrust, and criticism.
Is there a perspective on this issue that can show us how to help eliminate the manipulative tactics so distasteful to most people? Is there a perspective that can help all of us to give generously without fearing the loss of our own financial security? Yes, there is. As with any worthwhile activity, when fundraising and charitable giving are viewed from a spiritual standpoint, they can no longer be carried out in the old way. The spiritual perspective brings about fundamental changes.
Mark's Gospel records a metaphor used by Christ Jesus that can be applied to this concept of change: "No man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles." Mark 2:22.
