GENEROSITY THAT MEETS THE MOMENT

It takes a lot of moral gymnastics for a Christ follower to create a rule of life absent faithful generosity. Giving in the godly life is naturally prompted by commitment and compulsion, and is both present but prioritized. Occasionally, moments call for a response that is unusually immediate and immeasurably impactful.

We are in one of those right now.

For the dedicated Christian giving begins but doesn’t end with, “returning a portion of that which God has generously given.” That’s the tithe brought or sent regularly to God’s house. Another type of alms lives in supporting causes that move our hearts to the point where charity becomes concrete, extends our witness, and often outlives our lives. Such targeted altruism honors God, changes lives, and is especially meaningful to the giver.

There is a third category of generosity that lives in the moment where the need is undeniably present. A time when we are stewards of the moment of need for people within our sphere of influence. This rarely happens on an overarching scale.

But it has. And no matter what does or does not happen soon in Washington or Nashville, it will go on for a while. The time for our response is now.

I offer no commentary here on the causes of our current need, only to say that it is real, and for many, really impactful. With no fault and little margin, many have missed the paychecks that keep life going week to week. It’s a reality many cannot easily endure, and most who can will recall a time when they could not. Count me among that camp.

In Tennessee, a tenth of our population relies on help from SNAP to put groceries on the table. Two thirds of those families include children. Another third is either elderly or disabled. Bottom line is that folks are going hungry, increasingly falling behind on rent, utilities, and hope. How can that reality not touch our hearts and call us to action?

What can we individually and collectively do? Glad you asked. Here are three things that I am hope you will, along with our family, consider.

First, by Sunday let’s load up our Welcome Center with nonperishable food items.

Our local ministry partners that distribute food are running low and, like the people they serve, need to be replenished. We will have it to them by Monday and in people’s homes and bellies in short order.

Secondly, consider an above the tithe gift to our FBC’s Benevolence ministry.

In a regular month Pam oversees around $5000 dollars in direct aid. Right now, we do not have the funds to run our regular Wednesday morning work that helps folks keep their utilities on. As it gets colder that vulnerability becomes more real. Our strategically responsive generosity helps stave off disruption of service, evictions, and frees up funds for other necessities.

Lastly, keep an eye open for friends and neighbors who might be quietly hurting from the loss of compensation or the benefits that bridging the gap between load and limits.

Some of those seem obvious, like people who you know who are federal employees. Others hide in plain sight. Offer to help directly when you can. You can also direct them towards us and we will offer the aid we can and informed direction to the community partners who do what we cannot.

Churches and church people are often judged by what they do and do not do in moments of clear need. We are in one. These weeks have left folks hurt, hungry, and struggling to keep their sense of worth and dignity. A lot is on the line – and we can help. Again, fill the church with donations of food and personal items that will meet immediate needs. Secondly, consider beyond the tithe funding of our Benevolence Ministry. And last, be on the lookout for folks who may not ask for the help they certainly need. Do what you can, and then offer direction to FBC. I promise you, in their moment of vulnerability, they will feel personally loved, valued, and responded to.

And that’s a picture of the church being the church. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done. In Murfreesboro as it is in heaven. Let’s don’t miss the moment.