“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (II Corinthians 9:7)
Got your Christmas shopping done yet?
For many of us, now is about the time that we start planning the list. I know we always say that next year we are going to shop earlier, but it just never happens. It seems like there is some sort of invisible force field governed by an unknown Federal law that requires 95% of humanity to cram the major bulk of our annual binge shopping into the shortest time possible. It is sort of like a game – a national pastime that has been woven into the fabric of our culture. I always marvel at the few who somehow manage to finish their list in October. Maybe you know someone like this. They make most of their presents by hand from only recycled materials and prepare their Holiday banquet from only organically grown items. They always look “GQ”. He was the quarterback and captain of the football team, she was the lead cheerleader. They have exactly 2.3 children who never have a hair out of place. Truth is, they really are not from this planet.
For those who work retail, the holidays are a royal pain in the backside. Dealing with a stressed out grumpy public is often a fate worse than death. Then there are the lines and the traffic for the shoppers. Everyone is on edge. You drive through the mall parking lot and all the spots are full. So you find someone coming out of the store and follow them to get their parking spot. Then someone comes in from the other direction and jumps the protocol and steals the spot. The guy in front of you in line always has some oddball issue that shuts down the register. You can find four million items in every size except the one you need. I could go on complaining until Jesus comes, but I think you get the idea.
This is supposed to be a happy time of the year, and it can be if we keep our hearts anchored to the right things. The joy of Christmas is giving, not getting. Sure, it takes a lot of effort to fight the crowds and find those special things for the ones we love, but it is worth it when we watch the eyes of our kids and grandkids light up with that special gift. Paul said we should, “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) This time of the year gives us an opportunity to live those words. When we get a special gift, we get the joy of receiving. There is nothing wrong with that. Jesus said it is more blessed to give, but he also said it was blessed to receive. But the Bible says God loves a cheerful giver. When we give out of a pure heart of love, we also receive the blessing of giving.
The greatest example of this principle is embodied in the one who we celebrate at this time of the year. The next time we complain about the long lines at the mall, think of the long trek he made up the hill to Calvary. When we encounter the grumpy customer or sales clerk, remember the beating he took from those whom he created. When we get frustrated by the shopping mob, think of the angry mob who cried, “Away with him! Crucify him!” When we see an item we want and then see the “sticker shock” of the price tag, think of the price he paid to redeem us from our sins. He did all of that cheerfully. He did it because he loved you more than anyone ever could. He gave his life – not just a gift card – when he did not have to do it, and when he could have easily gotten out of it. When you received him as your Saviour, he received the greatest joy anyone could ever imagine; a new soul for his kingdom. He gave first, knowing he would receive later. As someone said, God did not wrap his present and place it under a tree, he unwrapped it and nailed it on a tree. Keep your heart directed to that gift every day.
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (II Corinthians 9:15)
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