Last week my email inbox “blew up” with emails. The emails weren’t specifically from church members or ministry needs. They were because of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday. These were advertisements and promotions. I’m still trying to get through them all.
By now, we all know about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Those days are promotional days for buying for Christmas. Giving Tuesday is different.
Giving Tuesday was promoted to get us away from the materialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is used by ministries and non-profits to encourage giving.
I would like to encourage you to have a “Giving Everyday” emphasis.
How should you give and what should you give for?
We certainly should remember that Jesus told us to give. He also emphasized what is often asserted about God: “You can’t out give God.”
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Could I give you some suggestions for giving?
Give for missions around the world by giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. This is the largest Christian missionary enterprise in the world.
Give for local benevolence needs.
Give to the church budget. Remember that the church budget underwrites all we do – from Vacation Bible School to the electric bill. Also, when you give to the church budget, you are paying down the cost of our new building.
Christmas is a good time to give but so is every other day as well. Give as God has given to you.