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Lots of people flock around a generous person; everyone's a friend to the philanthropist.
-Proverbs 19:6 (the Message)
Every month, some of our youth and parents head to the shelter at First Presbyterian of Atlanta to serve breakfast to the homeless. This weekend, because of Pumpkin Patch unloading and setup, Fall Fest, and youth working the patch,
I told families not to try and do everything. They ignored me. Twenty one people showed up and we had to take the bus and a van to get everyone there.
The spirit of our joy in giving and serving that morning was so infectious that when we went to take our ritual group selfie as the "get up early crew," a nearby security guard jumped in the picture. Our joy in serving and giving our time was so evident, others wanted to be a part of it. This was also true setting up the Pumpkin Patch. From parents of the baseball team practicing to new visitors to JCPC to our scouts to a kid from the neighborhood who rode his bike up because he saw we needed help online. When the joy of giving is our way of living, people want to join us and give too.
This week, I hope you'll reflect on our stewardship theme of the Joy of Giving. As you do, remember this week's sermon message that our giving is to be sacrificial, but that it will be joyful. And remember, others will want to join us.
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