Christians are givers not takers. Those who’ve genuinely experienced the life rescuing grace of God have been turned from selfish grabbers to selfless gifters. God has built it into the DNA of His children to be generous, that’s what grace does to a person! Notice how Paul uses the believers in Macedonia to prove this point:

“We want you to know brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part” (2 Corinthians 8:1-2, emphasis added).

Even though affliction was their experience, generosity was their expression. The specific affliction they were suffering (at least one of them) was their poverty. The fountainhead of this generosity is God’s grace. Grace received responds in a like manner…it offers whatever we have to others. We are not the judge and jury of another’s need; their need is between them and the Lord. When we are made aware of a genuine need we don’t respond by looking at our needs and comparing to see if we are in a worse condition. The Christians in Macedonia were in the worst financial condition of all the churches under Paul’s care, but they were the ones who responded most generously.

The Christmas season is simply a trigger or platform for believers to give in specific and generous ways. We have families in our church who are in need financially. All you have to do is keep your ears and hearts open and you will see what I mean. I want to challenge you to give to those you believe are in need. You can do this anonymously by sending a gift through the church and simply designating it to the family in need.

There, I’ve given you a practical way you can express generosity even if you’re experiencing hostility. No matter the condition of your circumstances, they should never dictate the direction of your heart. God bless you as you give to others for the cause of the kingdom of God.

Grace & Peace,