Giving this Season - Merry Christmas!!!
Stanley Samuel
As the Christmas season comes around the corner, we are filled with opportunities to give and get gifts. The Bible tells us that God created man in his image. This image motivates man to act like God to give and bless others, and experience the giving nature of God, who is a giver of all good things (James 1:17). However, many times we inhibit this nature in us by not giving to others. 1 John 3: 17-18 challenges us by saying “…if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
As I think about the love of God and His image in me, I am motivated this season to become involved in another person’s life through this act of giving. I am excited to give to those who are in “need,” may this be my family member, a friend or my next door neighbor. Indeed there are many others out there who are starving, needy, homeless, mentally and physically challenged. Today, what is God’s image in you motivating you to do?
If you are encouraged to bless someone this season, can I encourage you to not stop with this Christmas season, but use this as an opportunity to do it all year round. If you have never done this before, let me encourage you to take that first bold step of giving. God who is the giver of all good things, promises that when you begin to operate in His nature, he too will not stop and He too will give you in return good measure (Luke 6:38). But don’t give because you want to get something back from God. Give because you want to experience God by blessing others through the process of giving.
Merry Christmas, as you enjoy the spirit of giving!!!
__________________________________
With love and Prayers
Stanley Samuel
1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love another, as he gave us commandment