Giving

The “Black Week” is over and has given way to CyberMonday, another invitation to spend money on ourselves.

In Europe, where Thanksgiving has not a long tradition, many don’t know that Black Friday is preceded by a much longer tradition: a Thursday to thank God for everything He has given us in the first place.

It is in the midst of all these calls to consumerism, that the #GivingTuesday initiative has found its place. It is a reaction and a call to give, thinking of the many non-profit initiatives which exist to serve people in need.

There are dozens of these projects led by people with a Christian worldview. Groups that work to supply humanitarian aid abroad, include people with disabilities, research to stop rare illnesses, support marginalised people in our cities, fight against slavery, preserve nature, build bridges of reconciliation, plant churches and communicate the good news of the gospel).

The Bible speaks often of how a heart that “overflows with thankfulness” towards God changes our way of living.

Thankful for all the things we already have in Jesus Christ, we are much freer to stop looking for things we might ‘need’, and become more aware of what Jesus meant when he said we should “store up treasures in heaven”.

Let’s use the opportunity of #GivingTuesday to remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive – be it today or at any other time of the year.