As the leaves turn and the days grow shorter, something shifts in the rhythm of our lives. We pause more often to say thank you. We think about the people and places that have shaped us. And somewhere between Halloween and New Year’s, our mailboxes and inboxes begin to fill with invitations — opportunities to give back to the causes and organizations that matter to us.
This is the season when generosity becomes visible.
But generosity is more than a charitable impulse triggered by year-end appeals. It’s a spiritual practice, rooted in gratitude and expressed through thoughtful stewardship of all we’ve been given. As people of faith, we believe that everything we have is a gift first — our time, our talents, our resources. The question isn’t whether to give, but how to give wisely and joyfully.
Where Should Your Generosity Flow?
If you’re like most people, you’ll receive dozens of donation requests before December 31. Some will be from organizations you’ve never heard of. Others will tug at your heartstrings with urgent needs. It can feel overwhelming to discern where your gifts will make the most difference.
Here are a few principles to guide you as you consider your year-end giving:
Give to organizations that have touched your heart this year. Maybe it’s the nonprofit that walked alongside your family during a difficult season. Maybe it’s the ministry that opened your eyes to a need you hadn’t seen before. When you’ve experienced the impact of an organization firsthand, you know your gift will matter.
Give to organizations you know are underfunded. Some of the most faithful work happens quietly, without big marketing budgets or celebrity endorsements. These ministries often serve the most vulnerable — the homeless, the hungry, the overlooked. They depend on people like you who see their work and believe in their mission.
Give to organizations where your values align. Your giving is an extension of what you believe about the world and your place in it. When you support causes that reflect your deepest convictions — whether that’s caring for creation, advancing justice, supporting the arts, or nurturing spiritual formation — you’re voting with your dollars for the kind of world you want to see.
Give to organizations with financial integrity. Before you give, take a moment to learn how an organization handles its resources. Do they operate transparently? Are their administrative costs reasonable? Do they report their impact honestly? Good stewardship on your part means supporting good stewardship in others.
Give locally, where you can see the difference. There’s something powerful about supporting the work happening in your own community — the food pantry down the road, the school enrichment program, the arts center that brings beauty to your neighborhood. Local giving builds connections and strengthens the fabric of the place you call home.
Beyond the Check
Here’s something worth remembering: generosity isn’t measured only in dollars. The most generous people are often those who give their time, their attention, their presence. They show up. They listen. They carry groceries for a neighbor, volunteer at the blood drive, or sit with someone who’s grieving.
This season, as you consider where to direct your financial gifts, also ask yourself: Where am I being called to give my time? My energy? My care?
Generosity is a practice that forms us. It loosens our grip on what we have and opens our hands to receive more — not more stuff, necessarily, but more joy, more connection, more of the abundant life Jesus promises. When we give freely, we discover that we are not diminished. We are multiplied.
A Word of Gratitude
At St. Matthew’s, we are profoundly grateful for the generosity of this community. Your pledges sustain the worship, fellowship, and service that happen within these walls and beyond them. But we also know that your generosity extends far beyond Highland Drive. Many of you support schools, hospitals, hunger relief programs, environmental initiatives, and countless other causes. You are people of generous hearts, and that’s something to celebrate.
As the requests arrive in the coming weeks, may you give thoughtfully and joyfully. May you give in ways that honor what matters most to you. And may you experience the deep satisfaction that comes from sharing what you have with a world in need of more love, more hope, and more grace.
With gratitude and blessing,
The People of St. Matthew’s
Reflect: What organization or cause touched your heart this year? How might you support their work before the year ends?
Join Us: Whether you’re already part of our community or still exploring, we invite you to worship with us on Sundays at 8:30 or 10:00 AM — in person at 9549 Highland Drive in Brecksville, or online via Zoom at 10:00 AM. You’re always welcome here.
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