Helping Others

Many of you have heard me speak about WHY I share the deals and freebies I come across. In fact, I've posted about it here before and will republish that post later today.

But to sum it up, I think that many of us don't make an effort to bless others because we don't think we have anything to bless them with. We're short on money. We're living paycheck to paycheck or we're in debt over our heads and can't imagine adding to that to 'give' to someone else. That was definitely true for our household when our income dropped in less than half when I began to stay home after our second son was born.

Saving money became a necessity and then once it became a habit, I realized I had enough "stuff" to share and bless others. I want to challenge each of my readers to do the same.

One of the ways you can help is to make care packets that you carry in the trunk your car. When a need presents itself you are prepared. We live in a large metropolitan area and when you drive downtown, you frequently are asked for handouts. I can't bring myself to give out cash, but I often will hand over whatever I have in the car - water, snacks, etc.

Even better, you can make up these care packets ahead of time and have them on hand to give as needed. Many of these items are things that are frequently on sale or even free:

1. Hand sanitizer

2. Snacks

3. Water

4. Bar soap

5. Wipes

6. Tissues

7. Toothbrush/Toothpaste

8. Mints/Gum/Cough Drops

9. Chapstick

10. Prayer Note or Bible Verse

11. Pillar Candles

12. Hand or Feet Warmers (this may be the one item that is not as easy to find a deal on)

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:35-36