They call them ‘chuggers’: people whose role in life is to connect you to your giving guilt. They are so happy to see you as you wander through the spending centre abstracted from thoughts of giving. And if you choose to sidestep the chugger, you'll trip over a beggar, cross-legged by the cash machine. A few lonely coins in the cup contrasting shamefully with the tenners shooting from the ATM. Then there's Pudsey on the TV and the latest funding request from the DEC (Disaster Emergency Committee) or a worthy cause at church.
Jesus said it is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God (Matthew 19:23). Wealth can be a trap from which it is hard to escape, even as the door stands wide open. But generosity is as much a key to freedom for the cash-strapped as the mega-rich.
Sometimes it takes a child to remind you how to see the world.
Lately, there have been a few of those moments in our family. None more so than the night before the funeral when our youngest daughter spoke about how ‘there’s a sadness inside me about Grandpa, but the happiness about him being in heaven is even brighter.’
If you’re looking to support Christian charities who are focused on looking after our planet, we’ve compiled a list of organisations for you to look into.
Another Lent has come and gone and once again we bore witness to thousands of acts of generosity.
It really is a privilege to sit behind the screen and produce a challenge that inspires a ripple of goodness into sometimes dry and tired lives. Though I can’t always feel the tangible impact of what we do, I know that the acts we have done over this Lent are causing a chain reaction of generosity that will hopefully keep picking up momentum.
Thousands of people across the world joined us to do Lent differently, and to every person we say a massive thank you and well done!
‘Welcome to the Morgans’ latest slightly crazy project! We’re going to be paddling 127 miles over six days in May in a fundraising canoe marathon down the Thames from Witney to Westminster.’
(This article first appeared in the March 22nd 2019 email from LICC’s Connecting with Culture series. Author Mark Greene has kindly allowed us to share it.)
Life is not a highlights reel. And nor are the great novels.
Inevitably, of course, screen and stage versions of big books like Victor Hugo’s much-adapted Les Misérables tend to focus on events that drive the narrative forward, moments of deep ethical challenge, intense emotion, and high personal jeopardy. But Hugo’s ambition for his tale of the gospel-fuelled transformation of Jean Valjean from disdained felon to selfless citizen went far beyond showing the triumph of godliness under extreme pressure. Rather, Hugo, whose faith position is disputed, is interested in portraying the possibility of radical consistent godliness worked out in everyday life.
We are halfway through 40acts 2019 and, along with many faithful followers, every year our generosity campaign attracts thousands of new activists who get caught up in this wave of giving and altruism.
We know because our inbox and social media channels are brimming with stories of generosity and giving that touch our hearts and souls. We read them aloud, share over coffee and pore over pictures of people carrying out heart-warming acts for their neighbour, friend, boss or stranger.
This is going to seem a bit like mum saying “it’s for your own good” as she tips cod-liver oil down your throat - but one of the main reasons for being generous is that: giving is good for you! It may be good for the recipient too, but, believe it or not, you benefit most from being generous. You really do. Here is the main reason why: giving breaks the power of money.
I confess I’m a bargain hunter, whatever the time of year. I can walk into a shop and find my feet tracking their way to the stickered items before I’ve consciously registered their existence. I’m like the Bisto kid of the reduced-item retail world – that is, until the January sales, which bring out a very different reaction in me.
blogs by the Stewardship team and selected guest writers.
Stewardship is the operating name of Stewardship Services (UKET) Limited. Established in 1906.
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