Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Giving Back by Allison Weaver and Dr. Helen Bessent Byrd (M.Div.’07)

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

To Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it was one or the other — either be generous or be selfish. He chose generosity and wrought the nation into a change toward justice. People took notice because, in a world that wanted to take everything from him, he stood with open hands. Very rarely, if ever, does a selfish man or woman leave such a positive mark on the world.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The cares and priorities of this earthly life nearly re-arrange themselves with that single question. To what extent do your practices align with your professed endeavor to live with “the mind of Christ” (Phil. 2:1-5)?

“We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles rather than by the quality of our service and the relationship to mankind.”   Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

He said this long before the advent of social media. Today we are taught that nothing happens unless it is quoted on Twitter, shown off on Facebook, or documented on Instagram. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would argue that the opposite is true. What we do silently in service for our neighbor is what matters most.

“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was, ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But the good Samaritan reversed the question (Luke 10:25-37), ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’”      Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What happens when we do not give to help the less fortunate? Typically speaking, what we stand to lose when we give is far less impactful than what others stand to gain. And the irony? The joy we gain from giving generally outweighs the loss of whatever we gave away.

“Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”      Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we reflect on this truly great leader who emulated love, peace and justice, let us look deeply inside ourselves. What will you do with your power for greatness? What can you do for others? How do you use the bounty of gifts that God has given you to help others in need – especially during this COVID-19 pandemic and the concomitant period of loss of love ones and the unsettling economic need.  Or, perhaps more appropriately, we should say as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did—“Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.”

You can continue Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy on giving

As you give to feed the hungry and provide a warm dry place for the homeless, please continue to help Union Presbyterian Seminary to prepare leaders for the church and the world.  See the website for giving opportunities.  When you give, write BAA on the line with your name if you give online and on the memo line of your check for tracking purposes.

The Alumni Corner tells some of our stories, one at a time. If you would like us to highlight an innovative or exciting ministry in your church or agency, or if you have a fellow alum you would recommend us contacting, please email Rev. Dr. Clay Macaulay, Alumni Development Director, cmacaulay@upsem.edu