Luke 12:33-34
“Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, I heard a television anchor interview a psychologist about the Christmas season…and why it is depressing for so many. One of the things the expert noted was that this is a time when a lot of us remember people who are no longer alive. We think about the traditions of Grandma and Grandpa…or how Uncle Paul always put up a huge light display. And we miss these things - and the people.
Some of us try to fill in the gaps…to carry on the traditions for future generations. Others go a totally different route and completely change their holiday routine. But there is one thing that should not change about this season…and that is our spirit of giving.
For all of the nuttiness that goes with this season (and I say this with all the love I can muster), we must remember WHY we are celebrating. God gave us Jesus…the greatest Gift of all time. There is no better reason to celebrate, decorate, and give presents to others. But we need to be thoughtful in our holiday celebrations. We need to look around and ask ourselves…”Does little Joey need another Lego® set – or does his classmate need a warm coat?” We need to question our desire to add another row of Christmas lights to the roof over purchasing food for a hungry family…outfitting a foster child…or paying the light bill for a single mother who is struggling to make ends meet.
In short, we need to be generous to those in need and store up “treasure” in heaven…to satiate our heart rather than our landscape…to make a difference instead of making a point! We need to carry on the traditions of our loved ones – within reason. But maybe we need to start a few new ones…and carry them into the New Year and beyond. We need to realize that sometimes a smile, a hug, and a few words of encouragement can be just as critical to the well-being of someone in need as any tangible items. A few minutes of our time spent visiting a shut-in or reading to a child could be more important than any box of candy or toy. We need to ask God to give us a new perspective about giving with purpose and meaning.
The spirit of giving is not something we should activate on December 1st and pack away with the holiday decorations after New Year’s Day. We should build up treasure in heaven by meeting the needs of those around us all year long. And we should begin today. Are you with me?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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