Skip to main content

the gift of giving

we can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving - quoted from a friend's email 

I had the honor of spending some time this morning with one of the homeless men who comes to our church.  We've had numerous of these guys come see us in the past few months.  Our clothes closet opens the door and give us many chances to witness and share as well as meet needs.  But there are very few times when I get to connect with, have true heart to heart conversations.  Today's was a huge blessing in so many ways (I'll share more later as far as some things God is doing).

One of my favorite parts of Christmas and of being a Christian is giving.  I believe that the gift of giving leads people to see the real reason for the season and our celebration.  

We have to take the opportunities.  Sometimes they are risky.  Sometimes they are just different.  But far too often we give things that mean little just because we are supposed to give a gift.  It is time, for me and I hope for you, to rethink what we give and how we give it.  (I talked about that in yesterday's devotion .)

We give through money.

2 Corinthians 8:11 (nlt) --- Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.

We give with our words.

Proverbs 10:11 (nlt) --- The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions

We give which gives us opportunities to talk about and minister for Jesus.

Proverbs 18:16 (nlt) --- Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!

When we give, we are like God.

Luke 11:13 (nlt) --- So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Fathergive the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.

Join me in enjoying the real joy of Christmas and the real meaning of Christmas (it's all about Jesus).  By being part of the gift of giving.

Popular posts from this blog

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.  One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns.  When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.  Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns.  Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.  Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"  Beverly said, "Why yes I do."  Edith said, "Well, what do you ...
Post a Comment
Read more

wash feet, sharing hope

  John 13:4-5,14 NLT  So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow.  He served.  He valued and gave value to others.  That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet.  It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives.  Jesus said we should do this.  See the verse above.  Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....
Post a Comment
Read more

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!
10 comments
Read more