I can’t quite believe my energy bills at the moment, as, I am sure, is the case for many people. How this part of our essential costs could get so high so quickly is quite shocking. Russia’s war in Ukraine is often blamed. Certainly, Vladimir Putin’s greed and aggression is having a devastating effect on many lives for a variety of reasons. Meanwhile, there are other greedy people and companies who are exploiting this terrible situation for profit, while millions suffer.

By contrast, values of generosity, mutual care and just peace are central in the major faith traditions. Thankfully, there are many people who choose to live by these values. In the Christian Church these are values that we find in Jesus Christ. Having just celebrated Jesus’ birth at Christmas, in our churches we move quickly to reading about Jesus as a fully-formed adult, travelling around his homeland, and also visiting other neighbouring regions. The gospel accounts in the Bible tell us that when Jesus encounters people of other backgrounds, and even people who might threaten him such as a Roman officer, he heals and encourages. Those of us in the Christian Church find in Jesus Christ a role model and friend who gives totally of himself that others might live. That kind of action, where the concerns of those who are in difficulty are put first, is exactly what we need in our communities.

I read this week of a businessman in Scotland who in response to the cost-of-living crisis is offering a free pizza this month to everyone in his city. His ovens are on anyway, he says, and offering a free pizza to everyone in Edinburgh means that he will give a little bit of help to people who are struggling. In turn, he will provide extra hours to his staff and benefit his suppliers. He expects this to cost him £12,000 but he is interested in altruism and wants to give it a try!

One pizza in a month is not going to solve anyone’s money problems but it is a generous act that might inspire others. It stands in contrast to the current culture of greed and aggression. The African proverb, “little by little, a little becomes a lot” captures the important message that change can happen by a series of small steps. Just as a vast ocean is made up of many tiny drops so the tide of human difficulty can be turned by each person choosing generosity, mutual care and peace. That keeps me hopeful for the future but it also challenges me to consider what small steps I might take.