In this reflection on International Women’s Day, writer Jenny Sanders explores the tension between the global call to “Give to Gain” and the radically selfless model of giving found in Jesus’ Kingdom. As 8th March invites celebration and action, she challenges us to consider whether our generosity is transactional—or truly shaped by unconditional love.
International Women’s Day began in the early 1900s when women’s voices started to be heard advocating more vociferously for their rights, for suffrage and for protection in the market place. Women were demanding change. According to one charity, the day became a global opportunity for ‘recognizing [sic] the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while advocating for gender equality… a time to celebrate progress, raise awareness of ongoing challenges, and drive action toward a more inclusive world.’
Despite so much progress over the last one hundred years, there are still massive gaps in gender equality in terms of financial remuneration and access to services including education and health. Women still one have only 64% of the legal rights that men hold worldwide, which affects ‘fundamental areas of life, including work, money, safety, family, property, mobility, business, and retirement.’
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This year, the United Nations has selected Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls as the official theme of the day.
This year, the United Nations has selected Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls as the official theme of the day. The global campaign theme set by International Women’s Day is Give to Gain. This tagline is more curious and, I think, potentially misleading.
Their Facebook page says they are, ‘encouraging individuals, organisations, and communities to give generously to support women’s advancement, emphasising that when people give their time, resources, knowledge, and support, opportunities for women increase and we all benefit.’
Absolutely; creating a more equitable world for women is something we can all support; empowering and encouraging one another in whichever sphere we occupy is laudable; Jesus consistently honoured and empowered women Himself. But giving to gain something in return sounds crudely transactional.
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We go to work, put in our hours and consequently, receive a pay packet. Rightly so. We invest our money in a savings plan and receive interest back into our account. Of course. We study our chosen subjects in order to pass exams which then open doors to jobs and careers. Obviously. We spend hours training our children to the best of our abilities so that they can navigate life and become well-adjusted, functioning and interdependent adults in a fast changing world, as well as enjoy the journey of childhood and adolescence in a family setting. We accept this.
We really do give to gain. There’s reciprocity.
But, what a contrast with the giving of Jesus’ Kingdom. Yes, He gave everything – His own life – in order to gain the cast iron offer of salvation for a fallen, broken world. So, in one sense, He did Give to Gain. There would be reward for His suffering. But, the truth is that He was submitted to His Father in that plan; there was no selfishness in it.
The giving we discover in a truly Kingdom culture is the antithesis of the transactional one so often found in our secular culture.
The giving we discover in a truly Kingdom culture is the antithesis of the transactional one so often found in our secular culture. It’s one of self-sacrifice, of preferring the other, disregarding our personal preferences or desires. It’s characterised by unconditional, persevering love. It’s demanding; it’s counter-intuitive; it removes us from the centre of decision making, but it reflects Jesus with integrity and authenticity. The problem with the 8th March tagline is that it feel very selfish. It doesn’t invite us to give without thought of recompense or return. It doesn’t advocate giving because it’s the right, righteous, or merciful thing to do. It’s not Kingdom thinking.
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If we only ever give for what we can receive back, we’ll be robbed of enjoying giving like Jesus gave (check out Philippians 2:67), we’ll miss out on so much but we’ll also perpetuate a misunderstanding of God’s love for us. We need a revelation of that love if we’re to truly reflect Him to the world around us.
However you plan to celebrate International Women’s Day in terms of campaigns, petitions, rallies, donating, mentoring or lobbying, let’s stay focused on Jesus who emptied Himself motivated not by what He could get out of it but by selfless love. We can’t hope to live up to that standard by self-effort but with Jesus, who is still our champion, as our source, we will never fun out of the capacity and ability to give regardless of any gain.
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