How To Give When You’re Broke

Sep 27, 2024

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So you’d like to give more, but you don’t know how? Good news! If money’s scarce, it doesn’t mean your giving has to be.

Hebrews 13:16 reads:

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

It doesn’_t say, “unless you’re broke.” Today, we’ll give you some ways you can give _without money:

1. Give Your Time to Your Church

One of the easiest ways to be generous is by offering your time. Your local church has plenty of service opportunities:

Join a missions committee or teach a Sunday School class.
Serve in the children’s ministry if teaching isn't your strength.
Help with outdoor work like weeding flower beds or raking leaves.

If you’re unsure where to start, ask a church leader what help is needed. You’ll likely receive plenty of suggestions!

2. Visit and Care for Others

Another impactful way to serve is by visiting members of your church or community, especially those in the hospital or who are elderly shut-ins. Spending an hour with someone can brighten their day. You can also offer practical help:

Babysit for parents who need a break.

Help an elderly neighbor with household tasks, yard work, or grocery shopping.
Use these moments to share the love of Christ, perhaps by inviting them to church.

3. Encourage Others from Home

You don’t even need to leave your house to make a difference. Set up a personal ministry by sending cards or handwritten letters of encouragement. Include a passage of Scripture that speaks to God’s love and care.

4. Donate Items You No Longer Use

Look around your home—are there things you no longer need? Items from your closet, garage, or basement can be donated to a Christian charity like the Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity. Even something as simple as recycling plastic bags can help a ministry like a food bank or thrift store.

5. Offer Your Skills and Resources

Do you have a van, truck, or trailer? Consider using it to help people move or haul items. It’s a surprising and practical way to serve others. If you have professional skills—whether in computers, graphic design, or even gardening—find ways to offer those talents to your church or community.

6. Donate Unused Christian Materials

If you have extra Bibles or Christian books, you can donate them to ministries that distribute materials to believers worldwide. Organizations like Love Packages and Christian Resources International accept and send these materials to places where believers are eager to learn God’s Word. Local homeless shelters may also welcome donations of Bibles and Christian literature.

7. Give Blood

A unique way to give is by donating blood. Every pint of blood donated can save up to three lives, allowing others to experience God’s love and perhaps the chance to hear the Gospel. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to learn where and when you can donate.

8. Pray

Perhaps the most important way you can give is through prayer. Join your church’s prayer group, or commit to praying individually for your church, community, friends, and world leaders. Prayer is a powerful way to support the work of God’s Kingdom.

Even if you don’t have financial resources to give, there are countless ways to be generous. From donating your time and skills to praying for others, God honors sacrificial giving in all its forms. Take advantage of these opportunities to bless others and advance God’s Kingdom.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

If my spouse is accumulating credit card debt and my name is not on the credit card, if he should die, would I be responsible for that debt?
I would like to know if I should get a foreclosure home or a new home. What's the difference between the two options?
My parents (around 85) recently sold a duplex they inherited for $215,000. I have two questions: 1) How do they determine the taxes owed on the sale? 2) What should my mom do with the remaining money after covering healthcare and home repair costs, considering she's considering putting it in CDs?
I'm in my 70s and retired. Since I'm divorced, I don't have much money saved, and my income goes towards alimony. At my age, I'm wondering how to balance saving money for emergencies and giving more to the Lord's work. I believe giving to the Lord's work is a better reward than saving money down here. What do you think?

Resources Mentioned:

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