Nothing is stopping us from striving to do the best that we can. There is something within each of us that pushes us toward what is good, but far too often we choose not to act on it. Many times we hide behind the lack of an opportunity as a justification for our inaction. This alone will often create regret, even if nothing outwardly “bad” occurred.

Even if you are not always doing good, it does not mean that you are inherently bad. I believe people are fundamentally oriented toward good, but we misstep when we lose our sense of purpose. When purpose becomes unclear, action becomes difficult. That is why we must always strive to do good—not only for the betterment of the world around us, but for the transformation of what is happening internally. Scripture reminds us that we are being formed, not finished, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

Most of us treat opportunity as if it is a selective force that chooses only the worthy. That could not be further from the truth. Opportunity is always present; we simply fail to recognize it. Any given moment is an opportunity to bring good. Yet we often become so consumed with the self that we forget others are also having a human experience alongside us. We reason that since many things feel wrong in our lives, we must protect whatever small good we have. But this often results in a shell of what was once good. When we choose not to give good, we place ourselves in danger of losing goodness altogether. Jesus warned that what we cling to out of fear can be the very thing that withers when it is not shared (Matthew 25:28–29).

In Scripture, Jesus was asked about offerings, and He told the crowd that the woman who gave two small coins—everything she had—gave more than the rich man who gave from his excess. “This poor widow has put in more than all the others, for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:3–4). The symbolism here is that she gave what was not disposable. She gave from the core of herself.

The energy of charity is what I often describe as a feminine energy—not in a diminished or inferior sense, but in the sense of nurture, generosity, and presence. Femininity is often discussed as something lesser, but communities cannot survive on productivity alone. Constant completion without giving produces exhaustion, not life. It is in the nature of the masculine to complete, but it is in the nature of the feminine to give. Without both, we build structures that cannot be lived in.

The tithes and offerings we give are not meant to be restricted to a building or an institution. Scripture calls the people of God the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). When you give meaningfully to others, you are participating in that body and fulfilling a purpose in your own life. If you are experiencing hardship right now, consider the last time you gave from a place that felt costly. Charity is not meant to be transactional, but Jesus is clear that generosity does not go unnoticed: “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38).

We live in a river of life. If we attempt to dam it for selfish gain, we stagnate. But if we allow it to flow through us, we remain connected to something living and dynamic. As you move into your weekend, consider the ways you can give. It might be something you’ve held onto dearly. It might be time, attention, forgiveness, or material support. Sometimes the very thing that brings us the most joy is the thing we are called to release in order to experience it fully.

How will you give today?