I believe that people give because they carry the image of God – they have in them a divine piece of DNA which radiates grace. Rationally, it seems foolish for people to give £30,000,000 to a commercial fund-raising site because Honorary Colonel Sir Tom is walking up and down his garden. But when we see a need, and are inspired by a person, our default is an urge to give. Even if we often find reasons not to give, (I’ll do it later, I haven’t got enough myself, I don’t know how to give) there’s something in us that wants to join in with the generosity.
The onset of coronavirus has exposed our world’s selfishness, but it’s also acted as a catalyst for an outpouring of generosity. It’s human nature to be concerned about our own well being, but as Christians, we want to continue to live out God’s word to love our neighbour as ourselves and attend to the needs of others.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, financial giving has experienced a severe strain due to the global economic uncertainty. But within our 40acts community, we have seen a fresh outpouring of generosity for the charities featured in this year’s challenge.
We spoke with Acts 435 director, Jenny Herrera, and Ambassadors Football intern, Bronnie King, to find out how their causes have benefitted during this difficult time from the donations of 40acts readers.
I’m amazed by the story of Lee McClelland, a pastor and a fellow Northern Irishman. He shares a story that is beyond me to imagine – stuck in hospital with coronavirus, a day away from having to be put on a ventilator.
Giving is costly – but it is also a great blessing. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says that we should give what we have decided in our hearts to give, ‘not reluctantly, or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ I love the promise, earlier in that verse, that we will reap what we sow. By the end of 40acts, I felt that I had reaped more than enough already.
The novel COVID-19 virus is now touching all our lives in a myriad of ways. Our church’s trip to Israel has been cancelled, conferences have been postponed, my 18 year old daughter is worrying about her A Levels, the need for skype lessons and logistics around her exams. My 87-year-old father in hospital is being fast-tracked to get an operation scheduled for 9 months to be done now. Emergency plans at work, keeping our distance from one another and every surface springing a hand gel are constant reminders of an unknown, disruptive threat.
Since his cancer diagnosis seven years ago, Jeremy Marshall has discovered his own wonder drug. It’s not a treatment plan, nor a mental attitude. It is simply and wholly this: generosity.
We know the good we’re capable of, we know we have it in us to act as Jesus would, to respond with thanks and generosity to all we have… Yet how do we square that desire to be open-hearted and open-handed with the need to tighten our belts knowing that January’s post includes the credit cards bills and bank statements showing our Christmas spending?
15 years ago, the third Monday of January was dubbed ‘the most depressing day of the year’. Ever since, people across the globe (or at least the internet) became aware of the phrase ‘Blue Monday’.
A New Year brings new excitement, expectation and opportunity; it can also be a pretty difficult time.
Stewardship share with A Rocha International and their many many friends around the world the deep sadness and loss of losing such fine leaders and pioneers in the Christian conservation world.
blogs by the Stewardship team and selected guest writers.
Stewardship is the operating name of Stewardship Services (UKET) Limited. Established in 1906.
Registered charity no. 234714, and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 90305.
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