Suggestions please...

[incognito2]

I'm going to gift some money to a neighbor anonymously, but would like to include a bible passage. I'd very much appreciate some fitting suggestions.

Thanks.

[MarkRae]

Are you in America?

[incognito2]

No, U.K

[argorstran]

Only you will be able to know if this is appropriate , but Proverbs 17:1 -
"Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. "

[woofgang]

depends on the reason for the gift...can you say?

[daffy654]

Is your neighbour a religious person?

[incognito2]

It's a church friend who I believe is finding life hard at the moment from a financial point of view.

[boxtops]

I'm not sure about this. You believe he's hard up - what makes you think that, or that he'll appreciate money being put through his door? it's a generoud gesture, but I would be very uncomfortable if someone anonymously put money through my door.

[bundleone]

I was given a money gift by a neighbour some years ago,because I had helped her and her husband.She said she wanted me to have something and didnt want to change her will.Although I was quite surprised and embarrassed I accepted it knowing it was what she wanted to do.

[bert_h]

"Freely have ye received; therefore, freely give".

[Ann]

If you both go to the same church you could include the verse from 1 John 3:17
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? ............... or the verse "The Lord loves a cheerful giver". But tread warily, some people may feel embarrassed that they are in need of help. I think, if you know the person, its best to write a little note to the effect of, " I feel that you may be able to make use of a little extra money at this time, I would love you to accept this little gift between you and me with my (christian) love.

[flobadob]

Something like Now go and praise the lord because I have given you some money

[birdie1971]

Incognito2 –

That's a very nice thing to do.

How about “... Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need”? [Genesis 33:11, New International Version 1984]

[keyplus90]

Ask American priests active in Africa how to do it. They are doing it exactly the same way.

[beso]

keypus prefers the way Muslims hack they way southwards through the populations of countries like Sudan.

[anneasquith]

im not sure re the passage, but i applaud your generous gesture

[naomi24]

Keyplus, so you’ve moved from utter denial, to attempted deceit, and eventually to grudging acceptance, but you think it must be bribery. Never mind, Keyplus. Truth is often a bitter pill to swallow. ;o)

Beso, I think Keyplus is referring to the millions of Africans who are deserting Islam for Christianity.

incognito2 – my apologies for that ^^ - but Keyplus' comment needed to be answered.

As for your question, as generous as it may be, personally I would find such a gift both patronising and embarrassing – and if it were accompanied by a biblical verse, I would also find it sanctimonious. Are you sure your neighbour will appreciate it?

[keyplus90]

People who likes to help others, do not advertise it.

[birdie1971]

Not true Keyplus.

Some people like it to be known that they give to charity. The logic being, if they do it, others may be encouraged to follow suit. For example, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, George Soros, Gary Sinise, etc. all give huge sums of money to help alleviate suffering and poverty in the world.

On a much smaller scale, both my wife and I regularly give to charity and we always tell our friends and family at Christmas that we don't want presents – we would prefer it if they donated to charity the money they were going to spend on us. By expressing our desires, we encourage others to help those less well off than themselves.

[keyplus90]

That is true if you are helping on a larger scale but not when you want to help your neighbour or relatives. Why would you like others to know about it when you are trying to do it anonymously? The only reason you want to keep it anonymous is that you do not want receiving person to feel bad.

[jomifl]

Unless the money is definitely desperately needed (loan shark, bankruptcy etc.)it would be better to give your neighbour a chance to resolve his/her own problems, otherwise he/she may become dependent on their mystery benefactor and you could be making a rod for your own back.