Why Do We Give?
Christmas is all about Magic: the lights, the music, the manger.
But what about this year? With COVID-19 weighing on all of us still, how can anyone possibly feel the Magic of Christmas? How can you begin experiencing it today?
Well...the Magic behind Christmas is about the way that God gave the gift of His Son to you and me. He gave Him to us happily.
The mistake that we all make is thinking that our happiness or magical tingly feelings come because of what we give. Happiness and relief, or goosebumps, are certainly benefits of giving to others who are in need, but it's not the reason God has called us to give.
Instead, Paul reminded us that God would like us to learn to become cheerful givers, to give to others so that THEY WILL RECEIVE THE HAPPINESS. Yes, I said that. Don't worry, you will experience happiness when you give this way, but God primarily wants the other person to experience it first. Why?
Because God wants you to feel how He feels when He gives to others: to feel so happy to give that person what they need while expecting absolutely nothing in return. No hug, no thank you...nothing.
But I want a hug!! I know...so do I, but that's not why God wants you to give.
"Each person needs to give what he or she has decided in their heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7
That's why Moses reminded the Israelites to work hard to learn what it means to be as "openhanded" toward others as God Himself is...
"If there is a poor person among your people in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother or sister. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs... give generously to him or her and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." Deuteronomy 15:7-8, 10 (Emphasis mine)
Giving to others is our way of giving a joyful and abundant response to God for all He has done for us. Simply put, we happily give to others because God happily has given to us. He has invited us into a new kind of life and giving through His Son, Jesus, that will truly make a difference right where we live.
As God helps us to grow in our spiritual lives, we learn to become abundant givers like He is. Giving abundantly of ourselves to help others is what God invites us to do.
So how can you happily give to others? What do the people in your immediate sphere need? How can God open your eyes to their needs? It's time that we all start praying those prayers to God.
Here's a way you can partner with us and give happily today, Giving Tuesday. We are planning a safe and magical Christmas celebration for our 20-Somethings and our Neighborhood community this December! Your gift today will go towards sharing the Magic of Christmas with these groups of friends in our 343 community. Click HERE to give to make these Magical Events possible! You'll also be able to experience the magic this season, as Todd is planning something special to help you and your family or neighborhood celebrate together. GIVE NOW to help make all of this possible!
Thank you for being YOU and part of what God is doing in the world!
Todd
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