In the video above, Luke Smith and his colleagues at the U.K.-based Christian group Fusion reenact the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, with lovely results. It’s a project particularly apt in light of our recent celebration of Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and our discussions of hospitality on this page. Smith recounts the background:
Jesus tells a story about a rich man who invites guests to a dinner. They all politely decline with various excuses. So the guy decides to invite anyone who will come. Lame beggars, poor people and literally anyone who will accept the invitation. Jesus says that the Kingdom of Heaven is like this. All are welcome—-you just have to accept the invitation. Read the full story here.When I read this story recently, I had an idea. I manage two phenomenal ladies. Pippa Elmes and Miriam Swaffield. They are two of the most energetic, creative and loving people you could ever meet and I’m always looking for ways to manage them well.
On Friday, they turned up to work at 7:30am expecting a quiet team day in the countryside. Instead, I gave them twelve hours to throw a banquet for anyone who would come. They rose to the challenge and at 7:30pm they opened the doors and held a banquet for over 100 people from all walks of life. God provided the food and drink through generous people and shops in York and they raised over £600 for a local charity who work with the homeless and destitute.
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
