Give Something Away Day 2022 | JOY for Today

(Updated 6.23.2023)

Giving well requires thinking outwardly. It means carefully considering what might benefit another and acting to make it happen. JOY is found on both ends: the giving and the getting. As you consider what to give away, we ask that you think outside material goods and consider what words and actions you might also give away to make someone else's day.

Give Something Away Day Selections:

• Did You Know... Five we didn't.
• Wolfe Stew Connects Connecting charity and love.
• Bible Verses and Quotes About charity.
• Activity Suggestions Thoughts about choosing what to give, questions, family challenge.

Did You Know:

1. Giving is good for your health? According to Cleveland Clinic, engaging in a charitable activity can lower your blood pressure, improve your self-esteem, lessen depression, decrease stress levels, prolong your life, and lead to greater levels of happiness and satisfaction.
2. Only about 20% of donations come from corporations? In 2020, according to Digital Information World, the top three corporations to donate were Gilead Sciences, Goldman Sachs Group, and Pfizer for a combined contribution of 878 million dollars. (Define Financial) 
3. People who make less than $50,000 annually are exceptionally charitable? The only group that outperforms them proportionally are the highest income earners. The income range of $100,000-$500,000 are the least charitable proportionally. (Define Financial)
4. Southern states take seven of the top ten most charitable states slots? The southern states that made the top ten in order are: Mississippi (2nd), Alabama (3rd), Tennessee (4th), Georgia (5th), South Carolina (6th), Arkansas (9th), and North Carolina (10th). The three northern states were Utah (1st), Idaho (7th), and Oklahoma (8th). (Define Financial)
5. The average church goer donates 2.5% of their total income to their church?  Down 0.8% since the Great Depression, Christians once donated 3.3% of their income. Today, 37% of regular church attendees give nothing at all and only 5% give regularly. (Define Financial)

We'd Love to Know:

Which fact most surprised you?

Wolfe Stew Connects

Perhaps the easiest definition of charity is to give and expect nothing in return.

Might that also be a definition of love?

The King James Version of the Bible uses the word "charity" where "love" exists in this well-known (and often quoted) chapter on love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 & 13):

CHARITY suffereth long, and is kind; CHARITY envieth not; CHARITY vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. CHARITY never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away...And now abideth faith, hope, CHARITY, these three; but the greatest of these is CHARITY.

What a challenge, to reimagine love as charity. Love feels passive, selfish, and uncontrollable; charity demands action, selflessness, and intent. How radically would relationships change if more of us redefined love as charity? For example, in my life:

How might my marriage change if instead of nagging the Mr. (yet again) to put his shoes where they belong (How hard is it for goodness sake?!?), I remind myself that I chose to "long suffer" with this man and in response I give away an act of kindness by intentionally swallowing my verbal scolding and (just this once) put his shoes on the rack - even though I'm not "feeling" the love right now; then, I carry on without expectation of appreciation or immediate change on his part?

How might my family change if instead of feeling offended and unloved because I am not receiving recognition, I realize I am being prideful and in response I choose this moment to "puff up" another family member by giving away intentionally chosen, uniquely tailored words designed to uplift and encourage without expectation of a return compliment?

How might my neighborhood change if instead of ducking quickly in my house while avoiding eye contact with that one neighbor who seemingly does the same to me, I allow myself to "hope all things" (like possible friendship or at least common courtesy) and give away intentionally-made eye contact and a warm greeting (as I would desire to be treated) without expectation of similar treatment in the future?

How might the world change if all of us considered showing love through acts of charity by intentionally "giving away" with no expectations of return to people God positions around us using tools of our equipping regardless of our feelings of love? 

There exists a fantastic model of charity written into every page of the Bible: God. God is love. God is charity. He knows our need before we ask (Matthew 6:8) and gives with such overabundance (Ephesians 3:20) that we could never hope to return His generosity. In response, we surrender to His charity. His love cannot be earned by action, word, or deed (Ephesians 2:8); it is freely given (Romans 8:32). 

To fully accept and experience God's charity towards you, surrender - the act of giving away control - is necessary. But surrender can be a challenge. To help you develop your willingness to surrender, we've crafted a GROWTH for Today calendar with daily exercises that are short, but impactful. Being truly loved requires surrender. Experience it yourself: enlist today. We need you in the fight, Warrior!

We'd Love to Know:

What area of your life could benefit from more charity?

Bible Verses and Quotes about Charity

Verses

• "Do not forget to do good and to fellowship; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Hebrews 13:15 JUB
• "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:3-4 NKJV
• "If anyone is rich in worldly possessions and sees a brother in need but refuses to open his heart, how can the love of God abide in him?" I John 3:17 NCB
• "Each one of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give. You should not give if it makes you unhappy or if you feel forced to give. God loves those who are happy to give." 2 Corinthians 9:7 ERV
• "Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full." Proverbs 19:17 MSG

Quotes

• "True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense." - Emanuel Swedenborg 
• "We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone." - Ronald Reagan
• "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." - Mother Theresa
• "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill
• "Charity never humiliated him who profited from it, nor ever bound him by the chains of gratitude, since it was not to him but to God that the gift was made." - Antoine de Saint - Exupery

We'd Love to Know:

Which verse or quote do you find most inspirational?

Give Something Away Day Activity Suggestion

It's pretty straight forward: find something to give and give it away. 

Our Nephew's Suggestion:

"Make sure it's something kind of valuable to you."

Your gift does not need to be an object. It could make use of your time, words, or talents. Aim for a choice that is beyond what you usually do and perhaps requires a bit of sacrifice. This sacrifice on your part whispers of the value you see in the recipient.

Would You Rather...

• Give away your favorite toy or favorite food?
• Give away time to do an activity of someone else's choice or to help someone with their work?
• Give away words that describe the value of another person or that motivate a person to act?

These questions are unique to this post.

Family Challenge

Start a discussion about the benefits of giving. Brainstorm some ways the family can give to others in each category: objects (including money), time, words, and talents. Then, have each person choose one idea and give it away during the upcoming week.

We'd Love to Know: 

Of a meaningful gift you've received.

We’re excited to share one more day with you and wish you JOY for Today and HOPE for Tomorrow. Come back next week for...National Ice Cream Day!

Fighting the Good Fight with You,

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Find even more JOY for Today in our monthly calendars, holiday, and seasonal posts.