A Time to Give

Welcome to November!

For many, this month is filled with family, friendship, thankfulness, and cheer as we kick off the holiday season that lasts from now until January. Traditions, football, and good old-fashioned home-cooked meals are sure to take center stage as many moms across the country begin finalizing their Thanksgiving meal plans.

However, for countless Americans, this month brings sadness and despair.

As we begin the early part of the holiday season, many individuals around us and in our neighborhoods are not feeling joy or looking forward to gathering at the family table. Instead, they are facing heartache, hunger, and hopelessness.

In 2023, the American Psychological Association reported a study that found many Americans felt stressed during the holiday season due to financial issues, grief over the loss of a loved one, family conflicts, or other reasons. The poll revealed:

While nearly half of U.S. adults (49%) would describe their stress levels during the traditional U.S. holiday season between November and January as “moderate,” around two in five (41%) said their stress increases during this time compared with other points in the year. While stress appears to be common at this time of year, 43% said that the stress of the holidays interferes with their ability to enjoy them and 36% said the holidays feel like a competition.

Meanwhile, Feeding America reported that its 2023 findings showed the number of families and children in the United States experiencing food insecurity had worsened.

“The number of people living in food insecure households in the United States in 2023 increased to 47 million, including nearly 14 million children, according to a report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” the organization shared.

These statistics are troubling.

Yet, during these challenging times across our nation, I believe that there is an excellent opportunity for the church to rise and be the hands and feet of Jesus.

It is time to give.

In Acts 20:35, Paul gives the church a great reminder.

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’ Emphasis added.

And as this season rolls around again, there are plenty of opportunities to share Christ by meeting the everyday needs of those around us.

If you’re like me, this season can also come with slight anxiety about how to serve or choosing how to get involved.

What can our families do to show the love of Jesus while so many in our nation are hurting? Where are the most significant community needs? How can I get my entire family involved?

There are numerous ways to help others throughout the year, but especially now. Knowing the various drives and types of collections that are needed and available at this time of year can help us make the most effective contribution to our communities.

A few ways we can currently participate and serve others include:

Donating to food banks or church food pantries. When you donate food to a pantry, you help feed families. You can also make “meal-in-a-bag” kits that enable families to cook and prepare their own meals independently. These kits can include shelf-stable ingredients for recipes such as soup, spaghetti, or casseroles. By placing all the necessary ingredients in the bag and including a recipe, recipients can easily prepare the meal. Making these kits is also a wonderful way for the whole family to get involved in serving.
Collecting coats and shoes. As the winter months approach, coats and shoes are desperately needed for adults and children. While cleaning out closets, try donating outgrown warm clothing items to a community center or church drive that is collecting them.
Purchasing toys as gifts. Many churches and organizations also start helping families by collecting toys and gifts for Christmas. If you have a little one in your family, consider letting them shop to give, while teaching them the truths found in the book of Acts. You can even include Bibles or handwritten Bible verse cards in your packages.

Most importantly, before considering or participating in any of these things, pray.

Pray for the children, families, and individuals hurting during this season.

Pray that in the midst of their hurt, they will see the hope that Jesus offers.

Pray that they know that they are not alone and that their lives matter.

Regardless of how you and your family are serving or being served this season, I pray that Jesus is seen and glorified. He is the greatest gift we could ever hope to share.

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return” (Luke 6:38).

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