What Will You Give Him

Click Here: Read Luke 21

“He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.  “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.””  – Luke 21:2-4

 

When I was a boy, my favorite Christmas cartoon was The Little Drummer Boy.  I can’t tell you why, but for some reason I connected more with this story than any of the other Christmas favorites – Rudolph, Frosty, Here Comes Santa Claus or Charlie Brown’s Christmas (although this was  a close second).  Each year as time would draw close to Christmas, TV Guide would publish the schedule of Christmas shows and I would seek out this cartoon before the others.  There is something about a story that exemplifies the act of giving rather than receiving that spoke to my heart.

In Acts 20:35 Paul reminds us of what the Lord said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  For the most part I believe Christians grasp this concept, but have difficulty putting it into practice.  Especially in today’s economic climate where it is so unnerving to look outside of our own four walls at the poverty and brokenness in the world when we are struggling with the credit collectors ourselves.  So often when we think of giving, our mind immediately shifts to focus on the financial side of the equation.  This is natural, but limited in scope.

The Lord has given you talents and gifts that He has not given to everyone.  It is what makes you unique in character, persona and wisdom.  These gifts are not for your benefit but for His and were intended to be used to glorify His Kingdom here on earth.  Some of you have the gift of counseling, some of music, some of writing and some of cooking; as examples.  As we near Christmas, how can you use your gifts to help others and in turn bring glory to God in the process.   If you’re good at wrapping presents, consider setting up a gift wrapping table at the local mall and wrap presents for free.  If you love to bake, then use that talent to make Christmas cookies for your local firemen or police officers and take a plate into them with a letter of thanks.  If you love to sing or play the guitar, consider setting up a chair in the shopping area of your town and serenade those passing by with Christmas carols and bring a little cheer to their day.  Carry extra blankets in your car, so when you see a homeless person, you can give them some comfort this Christmas.

Be the hands and feet of our Savior to the world by giving back this Christmas.  You and I both know that the joy inside is generally overwhelming when you see the true appreciation of someone when you take the time to give to them.  The expression of love from the heart cannot be matched by any monetary or material gift.  Like the little drummer boy, you may not have the financial means to give a present, but you have everything you need to give someone love this Christmas.  You just need to take the initiative to do something about it

 

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