Giving UP Something for Lent, or Giving TO Something for Lent?

Dear Friends in Christ:

It has become a common tradition for many Christians to practice the discipline during the 40-day Season of Lent to give up something. This is a form of “fasting” remembering that Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness where he fasted. Matthew’s Gospel says, “he was famished” (4:2). Luke’s Gospel states, “He ate nothing at all during those days” (4:2).

This can be a deeply spiritual experience for us. This year I have been led to another Lenten discipline. It was inspired by a reading in the Upper Room daily devotional guide that I use. The following thoughts were written by Pam Pointer of Wiltshire, England. It is titled, “Count your blessings and give accordingly."

Each day during Lent I put aside coins in a jar as a reminder of God’s blessings. A Christian charity made suggestions for each day: “Give a coin for every pair of shoes that you own.” I counted eight pairs, and then I thought about the many children who have to go barefoot. Another day I gave some money for each meal I’d eaten that day, as a reminder that many go hungry and die of starvation. Jesus had nowhere to lay his head (see Matt. 8:20), so another day I counted the number of beds in my home and gave an amount for each one. I have so much to be thankful for: clean water, food, clothes, shelter, work, electricity, gas, peace, freedom.

Jesus identified with those who had little. After all, as a toddler he was a refugee. As an adult he had no home of his own; he was rejected in his hometown and eventually died on the city’s rubbish dump. He ministered to all sorts of people, but he had a particular concern for people who were poor.

How much am I willing to give? At the end of Lent I’ll add up all the money I’ve collected and send it to the charity. But it will be a tiny sum compared to all that God has given me.

Bible Reading:
“All shall give as they are able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.” —Deuteronomy 16:17

Prayer:
Generous God, may we never take for granted all that you give us — most of all the gift of your son, Christ Jesus. Help us to respond with joyful gratitude. Amen.

—Pastor David Fetter
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