You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35, NLT)
OK, be honest. Did you participate in that marathon day of shopping we lovingly call Black Friday? If you did, you may still be recovering.
Every year I vow never to set foot in a shopping mall on that day, and every year I’m up at the crack of dawn, tracking down bargains like it’s my job, trying to purchase as many Christmas presents as humanly possible in one day. It’s brutal!
Last year, one crazy shopper trapped me in a corner with her cart so that she could snatch the last $9.99 crockpot, and I wasn’t even interested in the crockpot! I was going for the $3 jar candles in a nearby bin.
Of course, it’s almost impossible to find everything on that Christmas list on Black Friday, so retailers have given us a backup plan–Cyber Monday.
So, if you missed out on that “best deal ever” on Friday; you’ve got a shot at getting the same item at an “almost best deal ever” price while shopping in your pj’s at home via the Internet.
With all of this “consuming” over the last few days–from consuming lots of food on Thanksgiving Day to consuming lots of deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday–wouldn’t it feel good to do a little giving?
Can I hear a collective “Amen?”
Well, here is your chance as we celebrate #GivingTuesday–a global day set aside for simply giving back. On this day, churches, charities, families, businesses, community centers and students around the world come together to celebrate generosity and to give.
What a perfect holiday for Christians to embrace! We’re all about giving!
So, why not find a charity you love and send in a donation tomorrow? Or, go through your closet today and find clothes, shoes and coats that you no longer need, and drop them off at your local homeless shelter.
While you’re at it, peruse your pantry and grab some canned goods to take to your local food pantry on Tuesday.
Even if money is tight in your household, and you don’t have any extra clothing or food to donate, you can still participate in #GivingTuesday by donating your time!
In fact, your local church community might already have an outreach activity planned for tomorrow. If so, volunteer for that important work.
And, if none of these above options seem doable to you, then here are five additional ways you can get involved in #GivingTuesday and be a blessing to others:
- Pray: Offer up prayers for your family and friends. Pray for your community, your state, your nation and the world. Pray for our leaders and their families. Pray for those who don’t know Jesus. Pray for peace. Just pray.
- Do something nice for a neighbor. Depending on where you live, rake your neighbor’s leaves or shovel your neighbor’s driveway. Or, maybe just bake some cookies and drop them off with a kind, neighborly note.
- Give encouragement and show your gratitude to one of our heroes in uniform via a kind letter. Operation Gratitude offers a great way to get started.
- Give your time and effort to your local Humane Society, offering to clean out cages, walk the dogs or simply interact with the animals.
- Call your local Chamber of Commerce or city hall, and ask if there is a volunteer “to do” list that you could tackle tomorrow. Explain that it’s your desire to give back, and simply offer your time.
By participating in #GivingTuesday, we can be the “hands and feet” of Jesus in this world. So, go ahead. Get your giving on, and let’s make Tuesday the best day ever!
Pray this with me:
Father, thank You for the many blessings You have given me. And, Lord, help me to never take anything for granted and to always keep a grateful heart.
I pray that You show me the best way I can be used this #GivingTuesday and every day. It’s an honor to give back, Lord, because You’ve given so much to me. In the Mighty Name of Your Son Jesus, Amen.
