18 August 2008 Devotion for Today “Christmas in August” 2 Corinthians 9:7

Last evening our church had its annual Christmas in August program where we collect and donate school supplies to needy students in our community. During the service last night I told my congregation this story:

A few days before Christmas three men in Florida decided to go sailing while their wives went Christmas shopping. While the men went out sailing a terrible storm arose and they had great difficulty keeping the boat under control and as they maneuvered their way back to land, their boat got grounded on a submerged mud flat, and they had to jump overboard and they had to push with all their might trying to get the boat into deeper water. And as they did, the wind was blowing terribly, the waves were rushing up upon them, and they were soaking wet and knee deep in mud. And one of the guys look at his brothers in law and said, “You know, this is bad, but it sure beats going Christmas shopping!”

I realize that some of us guys would rather take a beating than to have to go Christmas shopping. In my family we have this inside old joke among us because the most of the guys let their wives do all the Christmas shopping, even for our own mothers, and also let them do the wrapping of the presents. So when we unwrap our gifts, I’ll say to my brother in law, Dennis, or my brother, Chuck- “hey, thanks for my presents! And they say, “You’re welcome! What did I get you?” We get a good laugh about that.

Have you ever received a gift from someone with the impression that the gift was given more out of duty than desire? And if they really had a choice, they wouldn’t have given you anything at all? Have you ever given a gift with that attitude? That’s not giving a gift, it’s paying a bill. When you give with that attitude, people can tell.

Instead, the Bible teaches us to give out of love. Paul said, So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

It’s a simple as this: if your gift isn’t motivated by love, it doesn’t matter what the gift costs, it is worthless. The wise men’s gifts to Jesus were special, not because they were valuable, but because they were given with a heart full of love for Jesus.

Dr. Chuck Swindoll says, “Have you ever thought about giving something away every day of the year leading up to Christmas? These daily gifts could be called our “Christmas projects,” one per day, every day till Christmas. Just think of the fun of being able to say “Merry Christmas” in July! Here are a few suggestions:Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Write a long overdue love note. Hug someone tightly and whisper, “I love you so.” Forgive an enemy. Be gentle and patient with an angry person.

Gladden the heart of a child. Find the time to keep a promise. Make or bake something for someone else. Anonymously. Release a grudge. Listen. Speak kindly to a stranger. Enter into another’s sorrow. Smile.Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.Take a walk with a friend. Lessen your demands on others. Play some beautiful music during the evening meal. Apologize if you were wrong. Turn off the television (or the computer) and talk. Treat someone to an ice-cream cone (yogurt would be fine). Do the dishes for the family. Pray for someone who helped you when you hurt. Fix breakfast on Saturday morning. Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly. Encourage an older person. Point out one thing you appreciate most about someone you work with or live near. Offer to baby-sit for a weary mother. Let’s make Christmas one long, extended gift of ourselves to others. Unselfishly. Without announcement. Or obligation. Or reservation. Or hypocrisy.

This is not just Christmas the whole year through, its how Jesus taught us to live, isn’t it?

Giving out of love, not obligation, is one of the greatest blessings we can receive.

Have a blessed day!