We have just handed over December’s clothes and food for the poor and needy:
This project, working with the Salvation Army to supply the poor and needy with vital food and clothing, has been a phenomenon this year. We started off with a small box that grew to a large one that grew to two and as you can see from the photos, our church was overflowing with goods when it came to the time to pass them on to the Salvation Army for distribution. This is one month’s collection! People’s generosity and kindness are overwhelming.
Paul talks about our duty to others in 2 Corinthians 8: “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”” Over and over again this year, we have seen the plenty that we have be given generously to help those in need. God has provided so much for us that there has been an abundance of giving.
Our giving is always a response to God’s giving: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Cor 8:9) As we meditate on the gift of God’s Son at Christmas, let’s be grateful for all we can give to help others and offer thanks to all who have given so generously.