Tikkun olam: A call to peace giving

Note: This article reflects the language and context of the time it was originally published. As our organization continues to grow, so does the way we express our mission and values. We’ve chosen to preserve this content for historical reference, while acknowledging that some terminology or framing may differ from our current voice. Our commitment to respect, fairness, and integrity remains constant.

We’re all familiar with the concept of peacemaking. But have you considered peace giving?

Looking back over Old Testament practices and Jewish history, we come across an ancient concept call tikkun olam, which means repairing the earth.

This concept first shows up in the Mishnah, a Jewish collection of writings codified around 200 AD. Many rabbinic leaders from previous generations are included in this work.

Tikkun olam is a call to righteousness and social justice. It’s rooted in the broader emphasis of shalom, which along with pursuing peace, means to make whole or complete.

Ties to generosity

Tikkun olam embodies the spirit of giving. The well-being of humankind is one of the key elements of repairing the world.

Helping those in need is worshipful work. Tikkun olam, in practical terms, emphasized having compassion for all people.

Even though this was a teaching and practice within Judaism, it was understood that generosity of this nature extended beyond the Jewish community. It included volunteering time as well as giving financially.

Modern day relevance

Individual giving today often centers around donating to the local church and other faith-based charitable causes in our communities.

If there’s money left over, we think about giving to the denomination, conference, and mission organizations.

As we read the words of Jesus in the New Testament, his primary emphasis for giving and serving is directed to the poor and those living on the margins of society.

Caring for orphans, widows and foreigners was close to the heart of Jesus and the early church (Mark 10:21; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4).

Tikkun olam is an acknowledgement that we live in a broken world that needs repairing. As a people called by God to follow Jesus, the ancient practice of tikkun olam is as relevant as ever.

Agents of healing, reconciliation

We must take seriously the Christian mandate put forth by Jesus to be engaged as agents of healing and reconciliation in word, deed and acts of generosity.

In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus uses the phrase “When you give alms…,” not once, but twice. The word when assumes this is an expectation, not an option.

And the giving of alms was a special gift of compassion for the poor, the widows, the orphans and the aliens. The fact that this phase is repeated twice in four verses adds to its importance.
Barbara Fullerton has written about six best practices for congregational stewardship. The first five emphasize internal programing, and the final one is titled Engagement in Social Justice and Peace Concerns.

Identifying as members of the Peace Church tradition should include an emphasis that our members give in ways to address past wrongs and current brokenness.

This is our calling – to be participants in repairing a broken world which God still loves and seeks to redeem.