All I Want For Christmas is...

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Luke 12:15 

 

We are all familiar of the event known as "Black Friday" where stores open early to allow the public to fight over items at extremely low prices.  We've heard of people getting trampled to death, getting into fist fights, and even mugged in the parking lot.  Let's face it, we like having stuff.  LOTS of stuff.  Even if we don't need it or use it, we still want it!

 

I know several people will understand when I say one of my favorite times of year when I was younger was the day when someone on our street got a new appliance.  Why?  Because we got the box!  That box and our imaginations made for an AWESOME week!

 

I have now reached the age where the thing I look forward to for Christmas are the t-shirts, socks, and underwear.  Because they are practical and I use them almost every day.  

 

As we enter into the Christmas Season, let's remember that the KING of KINGS was born into this world in a feed trough in a barn with nothing to His name except His name.  While some spend their entire lives trying to get more and more, Jesus was content with what He had.  

 

Being content with the things that matter is always better than having lots of stuff and still craving more! 

Gratitude or Greed?

Greed causes fighting;
    trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

Proverbs 28:25 

 

Is it just me, or do the Christmas decorations and "Black Friday Previews" seem to come earlier and earlier?  I was having coffee (go figure) with a friend (yes, I have friends) and said, "We should just do away with all the holidays from September until February and have just ONE holiday celebrated throughout the month of December."  Surprisingly, they agreed with the idea.  It seems like we can't get through Labor Day before the Christmas ads start creeping out and it only increases.

 

When I was a child, I was given the Sears Wish Book and got to choose 3 items I hoped for that were less than $50 and I may get one of them or something completely different that my parents thought more appropriate.  Then there were the requisite clothes, socks, and underwear.  Oddly enough, at my age now, the prospect of socks, t-shirts, and underwear are the most exciting part for me.  Toys and gadgets, while appreciated and enjoyed) come in second place.

 

But year after year, we see hordes of people lining up in front of stores sometimes for days, just to get the few specially priced items stores use to tempt shoppers.  Then when the doors open, chaos ensues!  People begin to stampede and trample other human beings.  Fights break out over STUFF!  Insanity becomes the rule of the day!  And it's fueled by GREED!  And then there are the overwhelmed store employees who have to try to deal with the mobs of greedy, frustrated, angry, demanding people who act as though no one matters except them.

 

We seem to have completely forgotten to be grateful and thankful because GREED takes over and we lose our wits.  For some Greed is a sport.  For some, Greed is a lifestyle.  But in the end, Greed is nothing more than GREED!

 

Learn to be grateful.  Gratitude is a gift that will continue to give and has no expiration date.  It cannot be purchased because it is a free DECISION! 

At Peace

You, Lord, give true peace
    to those who depend on You,
    because they trust You.

Isaiah 26:3

The photo is of our greyhound, Abby.  She is a little pampered and she is at peace....content with her life.  People have forgotten what it is to be at peace and to be content with their lives.  Think about it...we spend our lives always in pursuit of more!  More stuff, more money, more space, MORE EVERYTHING!  We have lost the ability to be content and at peace!

 

Now that it has begun, look at the shopping for Christmas.  Black Friday usually brings out people who are willing to endure horrendous crowds, whatever weather in their area, and will camp out just so they can storm the stores to get more stuff.  Humans never seem to be satisfied.

 

It is the constant pursuit of more that prevents us from knowing true peace and contentment.  We want more money, so instead of cutting back on some expenses, we work more hours.  When we work more hours, we are more tired.  When we are more tired, we get irritable.  When we get irritable, we take it out on our relationships.  When we take it out on our relationships, we create a distance between us and the people we love, and eventually we will end up losing.  All because we insisted we "needed" more.  And I am guilty of this too.

Now.....look at today's verse.  God gives TRUE PEACE to those who depend on Him!  So what do you think would happen if we shifted our focus from "MORE STUFF" to more relationship with God?

 

   

Money, Money Money, Money!

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.

  Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41-44

I have heard this story many many times throughout my time on this earth.  I have heard it told to support the idea that it's not how much you give to the church...it's about why you give to the church.  I have heard it told to support the idea that giving is not optional (guilt, guilt, guilt).  I have heard it told to support the idea that "We have staff to support, programs to fund, buildings to build/renovate, and so many other projects that need funding."  Then we find out that these well meant funds include a right healthy staff raise, perhaps a new car for the pastor (that is far better than anyone else in the congregation has), and the programs being funded aren't helping anyone locally.

We use this story to suit our own greed.  We use this story to encourage giving. We use this story to do many things.  But the thing I want you to understand is when is Enough truly Enough?  Jesus never said that we were not to give.  Jesus did teach against greed and doing things just for the purpose of being showy (drawing attention to how "holy and righteous" you think you are).

Now, those two copper coins were just enough to buy about one sandwich worth of day old bread.  That was ALL this woman had!  But the truth of this story is not about money!    Do you REALLY think God has any desire for your money?  If God needs something funded, He will provide the money.  

The true meaning of this story is about the heart. God wants us to be so reliant on Him that we do not fear!   He wants us to love and trust Him so much that should we lose EVERYTHING...we will trust Him to provide what we need.  And God usually provides for our needs in such unexpected ways that we can't help but know it was God who provided.  God also wants us to love and trust Him so much that we aren't afraid to be the source of help for someone who is truly in need.  Think about it!