Thanksgiving Feast: Your Extended Family Table

In Luke 14, Jesus instructs his followers to give to people who can’t hope to return the favor. Invite the poor to your dinner parties, he says. They will never be able to pay you back.

IIn Kournan village, Chad, community members prepare to eat food grown in their community garden established with help from CRS. Photo by Michael Stulman/CRS

In this teaching, as in so many others, Jesus turns the world upside down by turning it right side up. He assures us that the long-term rewards of giving beat the near-term benefits of trading.

Jesus takes an important accounting principle—balanced books—and adds a twist. Accounting demands that value out be balanced with value in. We pay X to receive equivalent value Y. But Jesus asks, what good have you done if you’re repaid for doing it?

He poses the question during a meal and uses the image of a banquet to further his point. A banquet implies celebration, extravagance and expense.

This Thanksgiving, many people will virtually sit at your table through your support of CRS’ mission to reach the poorest of the world. They’ll never be able to repay you. It’s impossible for them even to know, specifically, who to thank.

Your extravagance in serving others seats many guests at your table. And you allow us the privilege of serving them, and you.

From CRS to you and yours, thank you for your faithful support. Thank you for your persistent service to the poorest people. May God be with you and bless your Thanksgiving celebration.

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