"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: 'He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.'"I am so convicted by the bounty we have here in America. Last year, America spent $460 billion dollars to celebrate the holidays (IBISWorld). That's enough money to completely relieve the world's need for water, with money left over. Think of what a difference could be made in the world if Christians alone used the Christmas season to give to those in need, instead of to our family and friends.
These thoughts were also reinforced by a couple of newsletters I got in the mail. The first one said, "I see some of my fellow Christians exchanging expensive gifts with friends and relatives, seemingly oblivious to the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ in poorer countries have absolutely nothing. And these poor saints have no way to improve their lot unless we Christians in industrialized countries share our bounty with them." Why are we not sharing our plenty with these who have such great need?
The second newsletter reminded me of the reason we celebrate Christmas: Jesus' birth. Now when it's my birthday, people get me presents. They don't get presents for my friends or for my brother and sister. The celebration is all about me. :) So why do we celebrate Jesus' birthday by giving gifts to each other? Why don't we give to Him? Jesus has told us how we can give to Him: "'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Mt. 25:35-40)
I plan to celebrate this Christmas by giving to Jesus. I know of wells to be dug, children to be fed and sent to school, men and women who are victims of drought, children who won't get presents this year because their parents are in jail. All of these are ways we can give to Jesus for His birthday. I hope you will join me in celebrating true CHRISTmas this year.
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