Praise the Lord! “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The emphasis is on the fact that God gave his only son and in doing so we shall experience eternal life. God loves us and He wants us to be happy now and in eternity. Because God gave, there is an expectation that we take on the character of God and give also.
This is written to remind everyone that today is Giving Tuesday. The date is always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year. Today and every day is an opportunity for us all to give generously to some charity or cause in some way. Just imagine the impact your giving will have on the world if everyone would give in some small way. There are so many ways in which we can give back that will make our nation and communities better places to live. Start today by using your voice, goods, time, money, etc. to support causes that you are interested in. This is a prime time for us to help those who may be in need.
According to GivingTuesday.org, this day of giving was founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation as a day that encourages people to do good. It is also a day we are encouraged to give back in some way. If most of us would reflect on how we celebrated Thanksgiving, it would serve as a reminder of how good God has been to us and now there is an opportunity for us to be good to someone else.
One of the most recent heartfelt stories I have heard and witnessed in doing good is regarding a young lady who is struggling, but determined to press on and see what the end may bring. She has a job, but no means of getting to and from her work. Long story short, a gentleman who I believe God placed in this lady’s dilemma donated a car to the cause. The lady does not know him and he does not know her. The church where she is a member has taken on the responsibility of assisting this lady in getting the automobile on the road. Now that is doing good and expecting nothing in return.
Hebrews 13:16 reminds us, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” As believers and Christians, we are obligated to share what we have. It is a blessing to be a blessing to someone else. It is not just pleasing to ourselves when we give generously, for it is pleasing to God also. If the truth be told, many of us have been blessed with an abundance of resources.
I am a firm believer in Luke 6:38: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” We are encouraged to be givers and God rewards those who give. Everything we give to God is given back to us in many ways. So, make that decision today to make giving a part of your Chrisitan journey. Our testimony may be that God has continuously blessed us, so we will continue to be a blessing to others.
Giving should make us feel good and we should be happy about it. When we are able to give, it gives us a sense of having a positive impact on someone else’s life.
Jesus taught us that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20: 35). Let’s stir up that giving spirit and do something good for someone else today.
I received a timely confirmation while writing this message when a gentleman innocently said, “Today is some kind of giving day. Let me go and write my checks to the charities and organizations for 2023.”
May we also pause and be conscientious in doing good in some way today. God is smiling on you right now.
Just my thoughts!
Robert Earl Slade, Pastor
