Today is designated as “Giving Tuesday,” the day we all get to choose from the many organizations we support probably all year round. The list of worthy organizations can boggle the mind. How do we choose? Are our choices based on the kinds of causes we normally support? Animals? The environment? Human rights? Homeless?
There is so much need in the world that it is easy to be overwhelmed. Do we divide our giving among several groups or do we lump it into one particular cause? I have to say that I wonder how the very wealthy give, if they give at all. Apart from the big name foundations of the super-rich, like Gates and Bloomberg, it seems that lower income people give a greater proportion of their money than upper income people.
How and how much we give says a great deal about our values. So, on this Giving Tuesday, consider your gift and where it will go.
Prayer for the Day
Lord, we know that there is so much need in the world,
And we wonder whether our gifts can help assuage that need;
But in this Advent Season, let us draw upon the hope
Given us by something small, a baby in a far off land.
Grant, O giving God, that we, too, take something small
And let it grow, like hope, into the fruition of your kingdom.
In the name of the One who gives us our hope,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.
Booker T. Washington, born into slavery, an educator (1856-1915)
We know only too well that what we do is a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.
- Mother Teresa, saint for our time (1910-1997)
If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of the towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your needy neighbor.
You should rather open your hand, willingly giving what your neighbor needs.
You shall give freely and your heart will not be grudging when you give, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and all that you undertake.
Since there will never cease to be someone in need, I therefore command you, “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.
Deuteronomy 15: 7-11