Tuesday, Nov 28, 2023
“We Haven’t Figured It Out—Yet”
The first Tuesday of the Christmas Season begins with #GivingTuesday, a day created over ten years ago to call attention to providing for the needs of others. For some non-profit organizations, #GivingTuesday has become an important fund-raising opportunity.
How important is it? Today, charitable organizations are expected to raise upwards of $3 billion which could potentially become a funding source for charitable and humanitarian projects. That seems reasonable, doesn’t it? It seems that extending generosity one day per year should be affordable, especially since the rest of us could likely afford a little more.
For most non-profits, their greatest challenge is to keep their doors open. Regardless of whom we are serving, most of us are working on a shoestring budget. Giving Tuesday is important because we are hoping to get a head start on our December budget push without offending the generosity of our givers and donors.
Rest assured, in the push for nonprofits to raise money today, churches are going to lag. Why? Because we have our own clocks and we are always last to the party. We’re not doing it on purpose. Instead, we probably caught up in preparing for Holiday worship and events during our busiest season of the year.
I’m making this plea because, like most other churches, I’m late to the party. I hope that you are already there, making plans to help one (or more) of the nonprofits with which you work. I’m also hoping that you’ll consider making a similar donation to your local church or chapel. Lord knows they need it and, unfortunately, they (like me) haven’t figured out how to ask for it…yet!
Remember your local church on Giving Tuesday, and all the other days, too! It all is a part of serving others and honoring God, and the return on this investment is Eternal.
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6:38, NLT).