Giving

Day 29 – December 29

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1229Sometimes perspective allows you the best understanding as to ways you can serve others.

Take a moment to visit the Global Rich List website (Find it here).

As you look through the site, begin to think of ways you can use your excess to serve others who have less.

As a family, decide how you would like to increase your giving this year. Here are some possible suggestions:

  • World Vision
  • Compassion International
  • A local charity
  • Giving at Church

Or perhaps you may want to give the gift of time to serve others through things such as a nursing home, South Plains Food Banks, or volunteer to take care of a neighbors lawn.

As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6.4, 9)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 27 – December 27

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1227If you end up at a retail store in the “return” line, be especially patient and generous.

Let someone go in front of you.

Thank the cashier for the work they must do during particularly difficult retail days.

Maybe even get a small token of your appreciation to give to the person behind the counter.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9.8)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 26 – December 26

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1226Take the “25 Challenge”

Look at your bank statements and find something you spend too much money on.

Give up that something–fast food, gourmet coffee, movie dates, etc.–and donate that money to an organization fighting poverty.

Source of this idea and a place to check out? www.the25group.org.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. (Acts 4.32)

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 22 – December 22

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1222If you are traveling over the holidays and stay in a hotel, save the travel size shampoos/soaps in your room.

Donate them to Carpenter’s Church (website) by dropping them in the black tub in the South Plains foyer.

Add a few hygiene items that you purchased to increase the size of your donation (travel size deodorant, shaving cream, razors, feminine hygiene, socks shower gel, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.).

There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. (Acts 4.34-35)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 20 – December 20

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1220Fill a box or bag with toys or clothes and donate it to a local charity that gives away these items for free. Here are some options:

•The Blessing Center at Greenlawn Church of Christ (website)

•The Lubbock Dream Center (website)

•The Salvation Army (1111 16th Street, website)

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9.7)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 15 – December 15

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Sometimes the circumstances in the world around you dictate the best opportunity you have for service.

Many of you have heard or read about the crisis in Aleppo, Syria, with civilians being trapped by the fighting. Those refugees who have been able to flee have done so with nothing. It has been estimated that 75,000 have fled from this area since Sunday with no place to go and no food to eat. You can read more about their situation here.

Today, if you would like to help serve those in need in Aleppo, may I suggest you go to the following website–Preemptive Love Coalition–and consider making a donation?

Sure, it is the Christmas season and we spend most of our time thinking about the gifts we will give loved ones. Perhaps this is the season to give a gift for those who need it the most.

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need… (2 Corinthians 8.14)

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 11 – December 11

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1211Take a recycled glass jar and let your kids glue colored paper on it, or put stickers on it and decorate it. (You can see an example to the right.)

Let this be your family collection jar for any loose change. Once you fill the jar, decide on who will receive the gift.

For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. (2 Corinthians 29.2)

Other Ideas:

•You can designate who will receive your gift before hand. Sometimes doing so motivates you to find more change.

•Don’t be afraid to add some “green” change every now and then. You will be surprised the amount of change a small jar will hold, but bills are just icing on the cake.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 10 – December 10

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1210Take packaged socks, tied with a festive ribbon, to one of our local nursing homes. Ask the receptionist which resident(s) have very little family and friends and leave your gifts for that person.

Brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. (1 Thessalonians 2.17)

Other Ideas:

•Better yet: stay and visit. The gift of our time is the most precious gift of all.

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 8 – December 8

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1208Here’s one for all you animal lovers:

Deliver old/new soft blankets or towels, or pet food, or dog/cat toys to a local animal shelter or become a volunteer. (See a list of locations below.)

Your volunteer efforts may not only benefit a pet or pet-to-be, but also may make the life of those who take care of these pets in shelters easier.

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark… (Genesis 8.1)

Other Ideas:

•Humane Society of West Texas (www.humanesocietyofwesttexas.org)

•Haven Animal Center (www.havenacs.org)

•4 Legged Friends (www.4leggedfriendslbk.com)

•Morris Safe House (806-239-0156)

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days

Day 6 – December 6

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1206Put a packaged treat in your mailbox. If you have children, let them create or color the tag for this gift.

Thank your mail carrier for his/her service to you all year long.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5.11)

Other Ideas:

•You might also want to think about giving a treat to people who regularly serve you, such as the lawn person, your vet, wait staff that you see often, the barista at your coffee shop, or perhaps the fire fighters at the station closest to you.

•You could alter this idea and use Sonic or Starbucks gift cards instead of a treat.

 

We encourage you to return daily for more opportunities to serve others during these 31 Days of Service. We also encourage you to share your own ideas of service as well as the times of service you and your family perform. You can use the comment section below or tag us in social media using: #sp31days