Giving

A friend asked me about different ways to give charity last week and it made me think of different ideas. We generally think charity is solely monetary, when in fact, it can be much more than just money. 

As I was reading verse 133 in Surah Ali Imran today, it hit me even more. 

الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men;- for Allah loves those who do good. 

This aya really nails this discussion more than anything I would have been able to come up with. It struck me most because typically in the Quran you always see the word Yunfiquoona (spend) followed by the word amwaalahum (money). Not in this verse. God says spend. Spend what? He did not specify subhanallah. It could be your time, your energy, your attention, your smile, yes your money, and the list goes on. This is the kindness of Allah. He did not limit our options for us. There are numerous and infinite ways for us to give. See what you yourself excel in, and give from that. You're a good cook? Invite people for dinner. You're skilled in a sport? Coach a team. You love kids? Offer to babysit. And the list goes on...