MBJ Editorial

Mississippi’s charitable nonprofits face many challenges in the next few weeks. For many of them, this holiday season is the time of greatest demand for their resources, services and support.

Thankfully, Mississippians are known for giving back. Rich and poor, young and old, black and white — we can be a generous people when we see our friends, family, neighbors and even strangers struggling and in need of help.

But, individuals can’t do it alone. They need you and your business.

Our state’s business community has a solid record of being good members of their communities. Every year, businesses adopt families, organize canned food drives and raise money for United Way and other organizations. Many companies are also active in their local Habitat for Humanity chapters.

These endeavors help make Mississippi a great place to live and work.

Quite obviously, a business is in business to make money. Without a healthy bottom line, nothing else matters too much. The jobs, goods and services and tax dollars business and industry generates are vital to our communities, and we should be thankful for those contributions. But again, every little extra bit a business can do to improve their communities and to help the countless number of charitable nonprofits in Mississippi makes a difference — for all of us.

As we read in the Gospel of St. Luke, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” Words worthy of our consideration in this season of thanks and celebration.