Once again, the holiday shopping season is in full swing! Black Friday has come and gone, and Cyber Monday is over.
After the consumer shopping hysteria last Friday, when we saw people fighting for the best deals in shops, then “Cyber Monday” introduced the online, e-commerce shopping frenzy, which will continue until after Christmas.
A growing army of companies and organizations are starting to celebrate another kind of day, “Giving Tuesday.”The concept is simple: how can we use the power of social media and communication to encourage giving, spread joy, and make a difference in other people’s lives?
“Giving Tuesday” kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, “Giving Tuesday” has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and generosity.
I found it a breath of fresh air to hear about “Giving Tuesday.” However, I received a special email offer from a software company offering to donate 50% of purchase to a children’s charity. This fine and good, of course, if I needed that software. Interestingly, you have to buy something before they give. I suppose that will have to do; it is better than nothing.
What a contrast to Jesus’ teachings, who reminds us to give, “expecting nothing in return.” (Luke 6:35).
I would like to invite you to watch a short video, explain a heart-warming, true story which illustrates this. It was produced in Thailand, which has been firmly in the Top Ten of the world’s most generous nationsfor some years.
When we give, expecting nothing in return … it somehow, sometime, somewhere always comes back to us. Watch this video on YouTube.
This demonstrates the Biblical principle, what we sow, we reap.