Does this thought resonate with you, “The needs are so great, my meager donation won’t make a dent. So, what’s the point of giving?” Frankly, this illumines one of the great advantages of being a part of a church.
The mission of the Church is to glorify God and continue the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, which we know from Matthew 25 is to feed, clothe, house, heal and help those in need. In other words, to serve the needs of the poor. On my own, I can make but a little difference. But, when I combine my offering with your generosity, then the parish to can make a meaningful impact. We are stronger together.
You don’t think your giving matters? Give anyway because giving shows your love for God. Giving is about your response to God for all the blessings He gives to you. Giving makes you a part of the majestic mission of the church to serve the poor.
St. Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur during the French Revolution told us, “Do not be anxious. Go straight on, forgetful of self, letting the spirit of God act instead of your own.” I love that—we give forgetful of self, letting the Holy Spirit act with our gift.
Consider a couple of thoughts about the spiritual benefits of giving:
- As disciples of Jesus, we should strive to be like Him. Whenever we give, we are being like Him.
- When we give, we experience a unique closeness to God, our Father that only comes to us as we are generous. Like all parents, God wants to see His children being kind and generous and loving. God loves a cheerful giver
Giving is an act of praise and worship of God. It is the best expression of gratitude you can make for all the blessings He gives to you. Give what you can and trust that God will cause your gift to fall on fertile soil and produce a hundred-fold. (Mt 13: 8)
Photo Credit: Robert Davis
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