Giving Tuesday



Apparently today is “Giving Tuesday, ”a blatant attempt to leverage the concept of “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday.” Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m all for philanthropy; I spent two decades raising money for education before I entered the ministry.  Food pantries, shelters, museums, symphonies, nature conservancies, schools, faith communities and so many other causes are worthy of our time, skills, and, yes, money.  But there’s something off-putting about this particular marketing vehicle in which charitable giving has become just another holiday season activity to be branded.  We in the church (and in many other religious traditions) are taught otherwise, though

Created in the image of the one who will come to us as an infant, created by the one who gives us his all, we are meant to give likewise: with wild, extravagant generosity.  For Christians, giving should be at the center of all we do, not simply tacked onto the end of a shopping bonanza.  Giving should be a part of our lives, every day, every year, not relegated to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

So by all means, give today.  But then give tomorrow, and then the day after, and then on all those that follow.  Give this Advent in a way that helps us reflect on and appreciate the gift of hope, love, life we will celebrate on Christmas.

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