Why are we amazed at generosity? One of the reasons we are so moved by generosity is because we are wired to be generous. God created us to be givers, and deep down we know that generosity is right. We are meant to live and interact with one another on a level of giving, not taking.

From last week article I don’t want you to think of me as Pastor Grinch who stole Christmas by encouraging you to rebel against the economic empire of more. I certainly don’t want to turn you into Scrooge. I want us to give but give differently. It is an absolute joy to give; giving is a blessing. I want us to enjoy giving because we’ve been made by God to be givers.

Our giving should reflect the indescribable gift we’ve been given by God. God gave us the gift of His Son.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1)

That is God’s artistic was of describing God. He is simply saying that Jesus was God. Before there was anything there was Jesus. This reminds us that Jesus is eternal.

“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3)

The stars are here because of Jesus; the trees are here because of Jesus; Fido and Flumpy are here because of Jesus; we are here because of Jesus.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

John is telling us that this incomprehensible and eternal Christ stepped out of heave and came here. He entered the story of our lives. You know what’s amazing about this? Jesus actually knew what He was doing. He knew what was going to happen. He knew the conclusion of His life. He knew He would end up on the cross. That is a gift that is so generous and so sacrificial that there is no other gift like it. This is the gift of presence.

If we are going to celebrate and honor Jesus this Christmas then we need to take our cue for giving from Him; we are going to need to follow His example. Our giving should reflect what God has given us. Here are just a couple of ideas:

First, we need to give specifically where people have need (Matthew 25:35-36, 40). If we want to love the way He loved then we need to give to the least of these which means to meet people’s real needs. Don’t give what we want, give what they need.

Second, give something personal (John 1:14). Think about it this way – God spoke this world into existence. To meet our deepest need, which is spiritual, He could have spoken, but He didn’t – HE SHOWED UP! The story of Christmas is that God came in close. Maybe this year we can give gifts that grow our relationships deeper. Giving this type of gift takes some thought. Here’s a kick-start for us: give the gift of presence, not presents. We have to think about it and we’re going to have to give our time.

Spend Less…Give More,