TiS tHe sEaSOn

Unfortunately in America, the Christmas season starts as early as Halloween; but, in most places it's after Thanksgiving. But regardless when the Christmas season starts, the end of the year marks the time for Giving.

Because I am a Christian, Giving means a lot more to me than just giving presents. To me, Giving means giving something that's valued by one's soul; something that's so important, it would be like giving up a part of yourself. True, Giving comes in many forms --money, material objects, cards, and the like-- but for me I like to give things away that are difficult and enjoyable too (it's not always both though).

One example of something I like to give is friendship. Though I don't think everyone places a high value on some of the benefits of friendship, I like to give things to my friends that are concrete and abstract. Sometimes I'll give my friends books, letters, food, and assistance when needed, but most of the time I prefer to give them love, encouragement, hope, trust, admonition, honesty, and a plethora of things they can't necessarily see.

Truthfully, though, it's difficult to give these abstract qualities away. Though I love giving my friends these things, many times it gets trampled and torn. Yet, I still try my best to smile and be happy that I can at least afford them something. I just try to remember the times when I did the same to Christ, because I do it a LOT!

But there are some things that makes me wonder about Giving. For example, the church places an emphasis on one form of giving called tithing. This is probably something a lot of Christians have trouble with, but where I have trouble with it is this: must I tithe every Sunday to my church when I give to other Christian organizations (i.e.: charities, homeless shelters, non-profit organizations)? I mean, I am a post-undergraduate student trying to muster a living, and though I don't use this as an excuse, curiosity just begs me to question. I would like to relate an example to a certain Fourth Wise Man from legends who gave his intended gift to the Infant Christ to those who were in need. The only problem with this example is that it isn't biblical. Granted, I am still learning from Scripture and some of my memories of what I have already studied has become somewhat vague and muddled. However, I just wonder....

Well, I must admit I have many questions concerning Giving and the like. But about tithing, I think I'll still tithe to my church regardless of the other institutions I may support financially. I don't want to deviate from what I know at least to be true until I can prove that what I wonder to be true is true. :P