Giving Back

But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

– Luke 22:26

Over the past several years, companies have promoted their philanthropy — also known as giving back — to both drive sales and separate themselves from the competition. For example, during the 2018 holiday season, Subaru of America announced that it would donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased at hundreds of its retailers nationwide. Customers could opt for the $250 to go to a popular cause including The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels America and the National Park Foundation. And in some cases, they could choose a hometown charity.

Giving back also goes hand-in-hand with being a Christ-follower. Indeed, we’re

called to serve as Jesus’ hands and feet on earth while we wait for his return — or at least until that day when he calls us back home. That means we’re to help prepare God’s kingdom by sharing the many gifts and talents he’s given us. And it’s in this way that we become a beacon of hope amidst the utter darkness of today’s so-called enlightened society.

“Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise you Father in heaven.”

That’s how Jesus puts it in Matthew’s gospel. But what sort of light is he talking about? It’s really that spark or inner power that God grants each Christ-follower for demonstrating his goodness through their words and deeds. For example, we can shine a light and serve by running a much-needed errand for an elderly neighbor. We can help clean up a neglected school or a community park — or even work in a food pantry or visit the residents of a local assisted living community. Whether it’s down the street or across the globe, there’s no shortage of opportunities for giving back.

Why is the principle of service so important for Christ-followers?

“In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served,” Jesus explains. “He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”

Christ exemplified a service-focused life. So as his modern-day disciples, let’s do the same by turning our faith into action and giving back to the ones he called the least of these.