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Bountiful Expressions of Thanksgiving

There are many examples of “it’s not about me” in the Scriptures and also in our secular lives.

Over the years, both in my secular vocation and in my years in the church, I have witnessed many such testimonies.            

I was reminded of this while waiting in a local checkout line. The person ahead shared how she had donated a large sum to a favorite charity in 2022. This sharing was prompted when she was asked if she would like to 'round up' her purchase by a few cents in support of the 'charity of the month'. When I was asked the same question, what could my answer be but, ‘certainly.’            

I began to reflect upon the gift of philanthropy, and philanthropists.  

Philanthropy may include the following:

  • Charitable acts or other good works that help others, or society as a whole;
  • Donating money to a worthy cause, or volunteering time effort, or other forms of altruism.  
    It is noted altruism is a significant part of our philanthropic actions, by its very definition:
    the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.            

Who are some of the greatest philanthropists of our time? Two might be: Andrew Carnegie, and Warren Buffet.  

Benefits of Carnegie's philanthropic actions continue to this day, more than 100 years after his death.

Warren Buffet has set up foundations which will provide benefits lasting long after his death.  

True examples of ‘not about me’.            

Someone we may not think of as being a philanthropist was Mother Theresa.

In my research on the topic of philanthropy I found this:

‘You don't have to be a billionaire or give money away to be considered a philanthropist.
In fact, there are notable individuals who aren't ultra-rich and are known for their philanthropic efforts.
Mother Teresa is one of the most famous examples.
The Catholic nun set up the Order of the Missionaries of Charity (now known simply as the Missionaries of Charity) in Kolkata, India, in 1950.
The goal of the organization was to provide vulnerable communities
with "material and spiritual welfare."            

Of course, we have Jesus' quote from Holy Scripture:  

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.  

Matthew 6. 1-4  

Why am I sharing the these thoughts? To say thank you to all who practice their Christian philanthropy, each and every day of the year.  

I was reminded of this on Sunday, when we (Flo and I) received our charitable donation receipt for 2022.

At the same time, I am also reminded of the many actions of service, and other contributions, made to the life of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

After receiving our receipts on Sunday, we then enjoyed a bountiful expression of thanksgiving in a table of home-prepared foods, shared in honour of the Epiphany of our Lord.            

Thank you for the gift of philanthropy at St. John the Baptist in Duncan, and in the Christian Church around the world.

Blessings in this Epiphanytide,
Archdeacon Brian+