This past weekend, as we were concluding our RIPPLES sermon series, I told a story about Oseola McCarty, a woman from Hattiesburg, Mississippi who gave a very significant gift to the University of Southern Mississippi. Ms. McCarty spent a lifetime caring for others, washing clothes, and serving as a maid. Despite low pay in her vocations, she was able to live frugally and over several decades managed to accumulate more than $150,000 in savings. “It was,” she said, “more than I could ever use.” Therefore, she decided to give her savings away to finance scholarships for African-American students at the University of Southern Mississippi in her hometown of Hattiesburg. “I wanted to share my wealth with the children,” said Ms. McCarty, whose only real regret is that she herself was never able to complete her education. She didn’t want a building named for her or a statue erected in her honor. She only wanted one thing in return – to attend the graduation of a student who made it through college because of her gift. Bill Pace, the Executive Direction of the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation said, “This is the first time I’ve experienced anything like this from an individual who was not affluent and did not have a lot of resources – and yet gave substantially.”

Ms. McCarty’s story demonstrates to us that if we really want to, all of us can give sacrificially to help others. And we will, if we have a vision for transforming our city and culture, and if we are truly grateful for what the Lord has done in and for our lives.

I don’t know if Jarvis DeBerry was in one of our worship services this past weekend, but he published an article in today’s Times Picayune newspaper about Osceola and her significant gift. DeBerry wrote: “Here we are 16 years after her gift to the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, and the ripples are still spreading outward.” DeBerry went on to tell about a group of women in New Orleans who were so inspired by McCarty’s philanthropy, that they decided to get into the giving business themselves. They started a giving circle and called it, “Zawadi,” a Swahili word for gift.

There are 12 active members in “Zawadi,” each of whom is required to contribute a minimum of $100 per year. Most put in more, but no individual contribution is jaw dropping. Deberry writes, “It’s the pooled effort that makes the difference.”

Here at Celebration Church we are able to accomplish much for the kingdom of God and for the benefit of hurting people in our world through the “pooled efforts” of many givers. As a result of the faithful giving of God’s people, we are able to bring help, hope and healing to the addicted, depressed, elderly, fragmented families, homeless, hurting, lonely and poverty stricken people of our region. As a result of the faithful giving of God’s people are able to bring the life-transforming message and ministry of Jesus to people in our region, our nation and all around the world. As DeBerry would say, “no individual contribution is jaw dropping, but it’s the pooled effort that makes the difference.” What I’m telling you is that if you are a faithful giver to the Lord’s work through Celebration Church, you are making a positive difference in the lives of people locally, nationally and internationally.

So let me encourage you to follow the example of Oseola McCarty and the members of “Zawadi” by becoming a generous giver. Your efforts will bless others, bring blessings to your own life (Proverbs 11:24-26, Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11), and bring great blessing and honor to the Lord.

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day, and may we all realize every day of the year that all we have is a gift from the Lord. And then, may we express our gratitude to the Lord in tangible ways, such as living for Him and giving to support His work to help others.