By the time you read this, your email will be full of those asking for your donations today. Facebook. Twitter. No stone will go unturned by those around us today that seek donations for various projects, purposes, and worthy causes. Of course, we would expect nothing less as we have already experienced…
…stores asking for our business on Black Friday,
…small businesses also asking for our business on Small Business Saturday
…churches asking for our offering on Go to Church Sunday :)
…online businesses asking for our business on Cyber Monday.
Now… Giving Tuesday.
One recent email headlined, “Happy Giving Tuesday!” But is it? What is Giving Tuesday? More importantly, why should we give anything on Giving Tuesday?
Two Guiding Principles
What compels us to give today on Giving Tuesday? Let me suggest two passages that may help.
We give as Christ gave. His love motivates us.
Our primary example as those who follow Christ is none other than Jesus Christ. He of course gave everything. Passage after passage describes His willingness to give. He ultimately gave His life and in the process took upon Himself all God’s wrath over the saved person’s sin. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, that relationship solely exists upon the willingness of Jesus to give His life as a ransom for many.
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
Notice here the text describes how the love that Jesus has for us motivates us to live no longer for ourselves for Him. To live for Christ means that His love motivates us to selflessly love others as well. The First Great Commandment (to love God supremely) and the Second Great Commandment (to love our neighbors sincerely) go together. These are inseparable in the life of the disciple of Christ. Therefore, if the love of Christ motivates us to live lovingly as well, we must love both Christ and our neighbor. To love in this context means to selflessly love.
Just as Christ, selfless love always gives and is concerned for the other person more than self. The heart of agape love, which is the Greek word that describes the love of Christ, is giving. God gave His Son. Jesus gave His life. The Holy Spirit is given to every believer. The Word of God was given to us in order for us to live a life that honors God (c.f., 2 Cor 5:9). In every aspect, the love of God that motivates us is a giving kind of love.
Your Treasure Reflects the Values of Your Heart
Remember what Jesus taught when He was here? He said:
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The question then becomes, if not for giving to others, what do you plan to do with your money?
That’s a hard question isn’t it?! I know that my wife excels at this. I have a friend that comes to mind that does as well. Probably many friends as I think about it. Herein lies the struggle. When I am not as generous as those around me, I must question why. Maybe it is because what I treasure and my heart are not where they need to be.
What will you do on Giving Tuesday?
Maybe you’ll consider how you can give today. You do not have to click a link to give to whatever worthy organization or person is asking in order to honor Christ today. You can also consider your church, your church family, a missionary, a needy neighbor, or a friend.
Regardless to whom you give, you should have a heart of giving and strive to give in some way. Begin by giving yourself to Christ and then whatever else you can as well like your money, time, effort, creativity, and a whole lot more which works as well. When it comes down to it, your heart is what truly matters in giving. Guess what? Giving hearts give.
Image Credit Michael Longmire
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together