Are you being Uncharitable this Christmas Season

We should always be looking to not offend someone else in charity. Some of the ways my mom taught me to be charitable was not to eat in front of someone else, especially if they didn't have any. Rather, it would be appropriate to share or at least offer some of what you had. It is totally rude to eat in front of someone else who is hungry.

The rule goes for affection. It is unkind to carry on in front of a lonely person. Need I say more. That doesn't imply that we need to go around spreading our germs. Mom would laugh at that one. Yet, in this season of all seasons, some sit by themselves, disregarded. Sometimes, people who are the loneliest can be found on crowded buses and trains. No one even says hello. Why don't we?

My son, who once worked in retail used to say people would go and by small things just to be able to speak to the checkout person or any other person. They would talk and talk making them visibly targetable. Sometimes, if they had money, sadly they were sought out by salespeople.

Lonliness is one thing hunger is another. People will come together for a free meal and many are not in a position to be able to afford to eat out. They do not only hunger for food, and sometimes friendship, but personal items as well. Some are all three, lonely, hungry and poor.

Baskets of soaps and shampoo, toothbrushes and other odds and ends are placed along with groceries for their need. It is totally wrong to pass along catalogs for the sale of items such as those found in Avon, school fundraisers or the like. Some people feel badly, as they cannot afford to buy. You can sometimes see it in their faces. That would be an example of being "uncharitable". There is a time and a place for everything.

Being charitable is a big part of this and every season, especially when you are a Christian. There are always going to be those who constantly prey on "gatherings" relentlessly, to entice people to buy, even if it is said to be for a charitable cause, in front of those who do not have the luxury of spending the extra money, they simply do not have it. That is being uncharitable. Some spend money that they cannot afford to save face (embarrassment). We can be chartible...as well, we can be uncharitable.

Being charitable, and, not being "uncharitable" deserve equal recognition.