We are now right in the middle of the hectic month of December, just 10 days before Christmas. When you are in the middle of the hustle in the big box discount store, searching for a parking spot at the mall, or getting your toes run over for the 15th time by kids playing in the toy store, do you sometimes think, in the middle of all the craziness, that we should just put a stop to this whole gift-giving thing? I do. I mean, what kid doesn't already have enough toys? Hasn't the commercialism and the materialism gotten in the way of the real meaning of Christmas? Hasn't it all gotten way out of hand?
The answers to the last three questions are, in backwards order, yes, yes, and no kid that has access to be reading this post on a computer!
For just a moment, however, let's consider why we should keep on giving.
II Corinthians 9:7 says, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (NIV) The context of this verse is that Paul was collecting gifts (presumably monetary gifts) for the needy in churches in areas of persecution. Chapters 8 and 9 are all about the practical side of dispensing the gift: how Paul had gone to various churches to talk about making an offering, how even churches in need were rising up to help others in need, and how Titus would collect the offering and be accompanied by men of good standing. Clearly, this passage is not about overly materialistic giving, but about helping people in severe need. There are several things to note here. First, Paul does urge the people to give and to give generously. The Corinthians, living in a port city, probably were among the wealthier people of that time period. Since they have been blessed immensely, Paul urges them to share their blessing. He even admonishes them in chapter 9 verse 6, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." Since these people are able to give, they should give. At the same time, however, Paul says it should be a voluntary gift, not a gift given under compulsion. In chapter 8 verse 13 he says, "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality." We are to give generously when we are able, but it is not meant to be a hardship.
The Bible speaks in many places about the importance of giving (mainly giving to God and giving to the needy). For starters, read Psalm 37:21, I Timothy 6:17-19, Proverbs 21:26, Deuteronomy 15:10, Matthew 6:1-4, Proverbs 11:25, Proverbs 3:9, and I Chronicles 29:9. Then there are all the verses about tithing and offering the first fruits to God in Leviticus and Malachi. It is clear that God wants us to be giving people.
What the Bible never tells us is to give more than we are able. Giving might be a sacrifice, but it should not be stressful. It should not put you in debt. It should not break your bank. Perhaps this is just my opinion, an argument from silence. I am not saying we should not make big sacrificial gifts, especially big gifts for the glory of God. Many people have made "faith promise" gifts to support missionaries or church projects, where they simply said, "I don't have this money right now, but if God will provide it for me, I will give it." And God has provided in amazing ways. People who have made a commitment to give have found they were able to give more than they could have possibly imagined. This kind of giving - to those in need, to God, and for the glory of God - is miraculous and wonderful and is a testament to the power of God to provide when we open our hearts and our bank accounts to Him. Yes, sometimes we can give more than we are able, because God is able.
What I am saying is that if you are stressing out over the bills that result from giving to extended family and giving your kids the "perfect" Christmas and it will take you six months to pay it all off, this is not really in keeping with the kind of giving God teaches us about in the Bible. It is not meant to be an expectation that results in out-of-control commercialism. Giving should be a sharing of our own wealth with others. If you are in America reading this post, you personally may be in a good financial situation or in a not-so-good financial situation, but Americans in general are among the wealthier people in the world. I have seen people in true need who are still willing to give to others, and I would say that most of us can adjust our budgets so that we can give.
So if we are supposed to be giving to God and to the needy, should we still be giving gifts to our own kids, extended family, and friends? I think so. It was noted in an earlier blog post this month that gift-giving has been part of religious celebrations for centuries. Mordecai charged the Jews to celebrate Purim by giving gifts to each other. The Wise Men brought gifts to Jesus. Giving gifts is a way to show God's love, to celebrate in community, and to build relationships. When children are young, they understand concrete things like physical gifts better than abstract concepts like love. Gifts are a wonderful way to help them understand that they are loved and that they should show love to others.
So how can we make Christmas a season of giving without falling into the trap of materialism? There are a number of practical ways:
1) Budget. Give within your means and do not feel guilty for not giving more than you are able to your friends and family.
2) Think outside the gift box. Gifts do not have to cost a lot of money or even be material goods. Homemade gifts, baked goods, service projects, and the gift of your time can all be more meaningful than an expensive bauble.
3) Teach children the joy of giving. Children become spoiled and do not learn the joy of giving when they are always on the receiving end. Teach your children to give to others. Let them pick out a toy for a needy child, fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, or go caroling at a nursing home. Help them make gifts or cards for others in the family.
4) Teach children why we give. Children may not understand abstract concepts when they are young, but they cannot mature without making the transition in their thinking. As you go through the Christmas season, use every opportunity to teach them that the reason we give is because we love, and because God first loved us. In fact, He loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us and to be raised to life again.
5) Keep the focus of Christmas on Christ. Holidays, or "holy days," were always a time of teaching in the Old Testament. Celebrate the holiday, point out the memorials, and teach your children as you go. The point of all the celebration is to remember Christ and to remind our children and teach them about the true meaning of Christmas. Gifts are a tool to use, not the object of the season.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:5-9 NIV)
So enjoy this Christmas season. Do your Christmas shopping, wrap the gifts, and spread God's love around with a smile on your lips and joy in your heart. Give to others because God gave us the Greatest Gift - Jesus!
For your digital scrapbooking gift today, scroll down to the next post, "Share the Memories."
Merry Christmas!
No comments:
Post a Comment