Living the Love of Christ

Tis the season for people to be generous. For some reason we are invited into a frenzy of giving at this time of year. In my usual contrary way I get a little queasy about all this. Our heart-strings are tugged, people give mountains of toys, as though this is the answer to our existence, and then the feeling goes away.

It really does go away. The evidence in out there that Canadians are becoming less generous, giving about one percent of income to charitable causes. Guess what? Religious people tend to be the most generous, but our numbers are decreasing in this secular society, and we're dying off.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/what-canadians-give-how-charity-depends-on-where-you-live/article16065426/?click=tglobe

This can't be good. There are so many important organizations and causes that need our support in a civil and compassionate society. But the motivation to do so seems to be waning. I am convinced that coming together regularly to be encouraged to respond to the needs of others is part of the reason religious types are givers. Recently the United Church appealed to its members to support relief efforts in post-typhoon Philippines. So far around 6,200 UCC gifts have realized more than a million dollars. This is remarkable and I know there is more to come. I have been impressed in every congregation I've served that people have hearts of compassion through their congregations and the service clubs to which they belong and the other charities they support. Of course there are plenty of non-religious givers in our society but the evidence is in that faith matters.

This is the Love Sunday of Advent, as Christmas approaches, the reminder that God's love is present with us in Jesus, the Christ. That love stirs us to express love in practical, meaningful ways.

What are your observations about generosity? Does your faith motivate you? Does the nudge of being part of a faith community help set you free to give?