This year, consider giving generously to Urban Promise! Below is a great devotion from its founder, Bruce Main.
Years ago, during a conversation with an older and wiser mentor, I started complaining about the stress and pressure of asking people for money during the Christmas season. Abruptly he interrupted. “What’s the Bible say?” As a recent seminary graduate, an informed answer should have rolled off the tip of my tongue. I stumbled. “Not sure exactly what you mean,” I confessed, trying to get my thoughts together. “Say what about what?” “What’s the Bible say about giving,” he enthusiastically retorted. “What did Jesus actually say?” Before a word got out, he schooled me with a familiar verse. “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” I compliantly nodded in agreement, but wasn’t prepared for his next line. “If you don’t ask people to give, you’re denying them a blessing! Why would you want to do that?” Hmm. Never thought of it that way. Up to that moment, I had always thought soliciting donations was about getting something…..not giving an opportunity for blessing. Thirty years later I remember the conversation. Sometimes a 20 minute sermon isn’t needed to get a point across.
So I was encouraged this past Saturday when witnessing the joy of Urban Promise children buying and wrapping gifts for their loved ones—brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grannies and grandpas. As an annual event started by the Camden Business Association 32 years ago, our kids are loaded on school buses early Saturday morning a few weeks before Christmas,
driven to a local dollar store, given a little store credit and then released to purchase gifts for loved ones. Then it’s back to our campus to wrap gifts, sign cards, sing Christmas carols, enjoy a slice of pizza and get a visit from Santa.
Now some might critique the event as another form of commercialism, missing the deeper meaning Christmas. But I’ve got a different slant. So often kids from under-resourced communities are the recipients of others’ generosity. Consequently, the invitation to be givers is never offered. And if Jesus is right on this one (which I think he is) a blessing is denied—a blessing only received when we make a sacrifice on another’s behalf. Whether rich or poor, it doesn’t matter. Big or small, we’ve all got something to give. It’s in the act of giving that our lives become bigger, richer, deeper…..blessed. The late theologian Henri Nouwan wrote, “When we give generously to others, it not only blesses them but also enriches our own lives. Generosity fosters deeper connections, builds trust, and creates a sense of community.”
Nouwan’s words are true. I see it. Every day I meet people whose lives are enriched because of their giving. Generosity is a spiritual practice that connects us to the heart of God and others in a unique way. At its core, Christmas is a story about giving and blessing. Mary gives her heart to God. Elizabeth gives a blessing to Mary. The Inn Keeper gives his stable to the expectant parents. The Magi give their gold, frankincense and myrrh. Shepards give their praise. Angels give their announcement. Simeon gives a prayer. God gives humanity a savior. At every turn someone is giving. At every turn someone is blessed.
Blessings as you give. https://give.urbanpromiseinternational.org/campaign/637441/donate?blm_aid=25423