Have you ever slowed down to take in the sights and sounds of the Holiday season leading up to the big night of Christmas eve and Christmas day? There is something peaceful about the night during this glorious season. Take some time out and go out for a walk, maybe to your downtown square. Walk in any neighborhood, you will see all sorts of Christmas decorations and lights. On a clear night, the white lights can almost seem to blend right into the night sky. I love the night sky in December. It is so crisp, clean and bright. When I am walking or driving around looking at the lights all lit up, I have this peace come about me, a sort of stillness. And yet a rejuvenation that comes about me. Something stirs inside of me, I feel like God is wrapping his arms around me and giving me a big hug, reminding me that everything is ok. The lights remind me of the story of Jesus, the second Trinity, who gave up his supernatural being to come dwell among us, to walk with us and to be our light, to show us the way. To clear the path, to cleanse us. He could have come to us as a Thirty year old, sort of like just appearing in the flesh, but no, He had to go through a whole cycle, from birth to adulthood. I don’t think we would understand or be able to handle it if it were any other way.
Isn’t it amazing how one baby, born in the poorest and filthiest of conditions can come into this World and turn it complete upside down? Because of this one baby, we are given a purpose, we are given life, we are taught how to love, how to share, how to see the World in a different perspective, and how to put others before self by loving our neighbors. We are given things that I may never be able to grasp. But I do know that because of this birth, I am saved. I will never be alone, and as long as others listen I will share God’s gift to me with others.
Natalie Grant sings a song called I Believe. It is a beautiful song about Baby Jesus. This is part of the song: “Precious Child how can it be that God’s great plan for history would send you to a lonely tree that you would come for one like me? I believe in a cross, I believe He came for one He came for all. Heaven’s Child became a man gave His life for me in spite of all I am, I believe, I believe Christmas lives in me, I believe.
This Holiday season, I beg you to slow down. Take in the sights and sounds. Search for Him, see if you can really find Christ in Christmas. Give someone a hug. Give your neighbor a plate of cookies. Hand write a Christmas card and give it to someone who has done something for you in your life. Go caroling even if you sing off key. Share your faith with someone else. Smile to the casher, if they have a name tag on, address them by their name. Drink coffee or Hot Chocolate with a friend or family member that you feel disconnected to. And most importantly, do not forget to worship the one who loves you more than anything else on this earth. Let this be a Christmas full of joy.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Christmas and the Giving Spirit
This holiday season you will be approached by many organizations with their hand stuck out wishing to be a part of your giving spirit. Many organizations will send out appeal letters suggesting you make an end of year donation for tax benefits. Others will send out letters showing desperation of need, tugging at your inner emotions that are already running high simply because that is what we do this time of year. There’s something about Christmas that tends to make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. We tend to get a little too into the spirit of giving and we tend to be a little less tight with the ole pocketbook in other words we spend too much money and put ourselves into deeper trouble than we were before the holidays came. If we were good stewards of our God given gifts we might be more apt to be in the Christmas spirit of giving year round. ..
So what does stewardship mean? I looked up the definition of the word on dictionary.com and here is what it said: stewardship is a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others. We are all stewards for God; Jesus tells us that everything on Earth is God’s. So according to the definition of steward we are the managers of God’s stuff. It all belongs to God, our talents, treasures, gifts; knowledge God blesses us with so many gifts. All he asks us to do is to be good managers of his stuff. When you are a good steward, you worry about best fruits to go to God first.
God puts resources in our lives and we do not use as suggested, are we ripping off God, how do we rob God? We do it every day. We tend to put off giving; oh I forgot to write a check out before I left the house for church. I will get it next week, and then the next thing you know a month goes by and you have not given your first fruits to God. Excuses are easier to do than to stick to a plan. The government has it right, automatically take out the taxes owed before you even get a chance to make up an excuse. Shouldn’t God be the same way.No. We should love God over state. He dosent care if you give once a month, once a quarter or even once a year, as long as you are giving from the heart, and you are giving routinely. Should we tithe? Yes, we are instructed to do so in the bible. What doesn’t matter is how much it is about the devotion. In 2nd Corinthians 9:6-9 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times; having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” What we learn is that the giver should be cheerful, the giver should give regularly, and the giving amount should be felt…”Sacrificial giver”
So let’s take a look at stewardship again. “One who manages another’s property or financial affairs” how do we go about being a good steward? I think the following should be considered before giving a dime to any organization or church or individual:
Things to know before you Give
1. Is the ministry Biblically faithful?
2. Is the ministry lead by qualified leaders? Should not give resources to church or ministry that does not have qualified biblical leaders…Are they competent? Are they doing their Job efficiently?
3. Is the ministry well organized in using stewardship of money? Outside Council and accountability
a. Do you appreciate qualified competent leadership?
b. Do you see yourself as a steward to support our ministry with your God given gift?
c. Do you give your first fruits? First and best
4. Does the organization or person tithe?
5. How is the organization or person doing financially? What is the average giver amount? And the number of people that have given to the organization this year?
6. How can you give? Money, Gifting
7. How much should I tithe? 2 Corinthians 8 and 9
a. Is it regular
b. Sacrificial - according to Paul Sacrificial giving doesn't have to hurt but need to feel it
c. Giving is to be cheerful - the only way to be cheerful is to see Jesus…Jesus is a giver
To sum up everything, this Christmas season you will be asked for money for different reasons from different people. I ask you to think about the organizations, do your research before giving a dime. Search your heart, does the group fit into your lifestyle and beliefs? Once you have a sound mind I ask you to please give with a cheerful heart, and consider giving year round not just once during Christmas because you are feeling joyous and are in a giving mood.
God puts resources in our lives and we do not use as suggested, are we ripping off God, how do we rob God? We do it every day. We tend to put off giving; oh I forgot to write a check out before I left the house for church. I will get it next week, and then the next thing you know a month goes by and you have not given your first fruits to God. Excuses are easier to do than to stick to a plan. The government has it right, automatically take out the taxes owed before you even get a chance to make up an excuse. Shouldn’t God be the same way.No. We should love God over state. He dosent care if you give once a month, once a quarter or even once a year, as long as you are giving from the heart, and you are giving routinely. Should we tithe? Yes, we are instructed to do so in the bible. What doesn’t matter is how much it is about the devotion. In 2nd Corinthians 9:6-9 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times; having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” What we learn is that the giver should be cheerful, the giver should give regularly, and the giving amount should be felt…”Sacrificial giver”
So let’s take a look at stewardship again. “One who manages another’s property or financial affairs” how do we go about being a good steward? I think the following should be considered before giving a dime to any organization or church or individual:
Things to know before you Give
1. Is the ministry Biblically faithful?
2. Is the ministry lead by qualified leaders? Should not give resources to church or ministry that does not have qualified biblical leaders…Are they competent? Are they doing their Job efficiently?
3. Is the ministry well organized in using stewardship of money? Outside Council and accountability
a. Do you appreciate qualified competent leadership?
b. Do you see yourself as a steward to support our ministry with your God given gift?
c. Do you give your first fruits? First and best
4. Does the organization or person tithe?
5. How is the organization or person doing financially? What is the average giver amount? And the number of people that have given to the organization this year?
6. How can you give? Money, Gifting
7. How much should I tithe? 2 Corinthians 8 and 9
a. Is it regular
b. Sacrificial - according to Paul Sacrificial giving doesn't have to hurt but need to feel it
c. Giving is to be cheerful - the only way to be cheerful is to see Jesus…Jesus is a giver
To sum up everything, this Christmas season you will be asked for money for different reasons from different people. I ask you to think about the organizations, do your research before giving a dime. Search your heart, does the group fit into your lifestyle and beliefs? Once you have a sound mind I ask you to please give with a cheerful heart, and consider giving year round not just once during Christmas because you are feeling joyous and are in a giving mood.
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