“You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT).
“Generosity is what keeps the things we own from owning us” (Anonymous).
Many of us begin thinking and planning what we will give to our families for Christmas months before the day arrives. Gift giving is the climax of Christmas. Certainly, this practice must originate in the greatest gift of all, which is the gift of Christ. Did you know that God planned to give us the gift of His Son not just months before, but centuries before His birth?
“Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live” (Galatians 1:4 NLT).
With all the time and money we spend preparing to give gifts to those we love, have you considered what you’re going to give to Jesus this Christmas?
This coming weekend we are offering four services, two on Saturday evening and two on Sunday morning. I don’t know which service you’re planning on attending, but I hope you’re also planning to bring two gifts:
- Your tithe. This is your regular giving back to God of a tenth of your income which expresses your belief that God is both the Source and the Owner of all things. Your tithe goes towards the church’s ongoing gospel ministry work.
- Your Christmas offering. This is a sacrificial gift given above and beyond your tithe. Pray about an amount that would stretch you in your generosity. Our church is giving this entire offering away to help support our international mission partners.
Generosity doesn’t come naturally. It is a grace we receive from Jesus. Having received this grace, it is a spiritual habit that must be developed by planning and then acting with generosity.
What are you planning to give Jesus this year? After all, it’s His birthday!