Charitable Giving & Christmas

Each Advent our parish encourages charitable giving by selecting one or two organizations to support. This year our Vestry has chosen Episcopal Relief & Development and Puesta Del Sol Elementary School. What is the purpose of charitable giving, and how does it fit into a Christian's life?

It is important to remember that human needs are met in two ways: justice and charity. The normal way should be through justice, in which each person gets fair payment for their good work. When a society is healthy, every person has a job to do that benefits the community, and money is passed from person to person in gratitude and appreciation for the work they contribute. Everyone's needs are met. Justice encompasses much more than money, but let's stick with the money aspect for now.

The other way human needs are met is through charity. Charity is needed when a society is unhealthy, or when because of unfortunate events, a person/family is unable to obtain what they need for dignified human life. It is the duty of every Christian, as they are able, to contribute to charity.

"The person with two coats should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." (Luke 3:11)​

This was the message of John the Baptizer, who was getting people ready for the coming of Jesus. It was also the message of Jesus and of the early Church as they awaited Jesus's return. Our own Episcopal Catechism says,

The duty of all Christians is...to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 856)

We know that our parish's charitable support this Advent doesn't take the place of justice. But we hope that (1) it helps meet real human needs, and (2) raises awareness about needs and ways to meet them that can be continued beyond Advent.

So what does this have to do with our Christian life?
We should always remember to be fair and just in our dealings, because each person is created in God's images and has the right to a productive, healthy life. We work for justice in society as far as we are able, and certainly model it in our own business and personal interactions.

As for charity, we give according to our means. It is not good to meet the needs of others but not meet the needs of one's family. But to meet all the wants of one's family without meeting the needs of others is also not good. For how we treat others is how we treat Christ (Matthew 25). If one does not have money to give, they might give time and effort instead, to help their neighbor.

What I found as helpful financial advice from another pastor is to take the amount you can give away, and give half to the church and half to other charitable causes. Of course, the Spirit may lead you to give all to the Church or most to a charitable need (especially if that charitable need is in your own family). But I found that pastor's advice helpful.

May God help us to foster a more just and charitable society this Advent as we prepare for the coming of His Son, Jesus.
​-Fr Alex