Re-Gifting Without Shame

SCRIPTURE

2 Corinthians 9:1-15 (NRSV)
Generous giving bears fruit

Now it is not necessary for me to write you about the ministry to the saints, for I know your eagerness, which is the subject of my boasting about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you may not prove to have been empty in this case, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be; otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated - to say nothing of you - in this undertaking. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion.

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written,
"He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

DEVOTION

In yesterday’s good news blog, we began to explore the true meaning of CHRISTmas! At its heart, CHRISTmas is about God’s gift to the world in the “person” of Jesus Christ!

As a god-man he came into the world through the humblest of circumstances. He didn’t look like much swaddled in cloth and laying in a manger. But, that little baby boy would grow up to be the savior of the world.

Today, we call Him the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and a friend to all. Because of his death and resurrection, we live with the blessed assurance that our sin is forgiven and our eternal life is secure.

I don’t know about you, but I am so grateful for this FIRST CHRISTmas gift! And this is a gift that can be “re-gifted” without shame, again and again, as we share the good news message regarding Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection with our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

This Christmas, let us consider Paul’s admonishment to be cheerful givers, as we bountifully sow the good news that Jesus saves and He saves to the utmost!

Instead of running up tremendous credit card debt that we will spend the first six months of 2010 repaying, let us give our loved ones a gift that will truly last for all of eternity—JESUS.

If you have a loved one that does not have a saving relationship with Jesus, won’t you please give them the gift of your love, prayers, and testimony as you seek to lead them to Christ?

Additionally, if you find that you want to spend--within your means--to give a few presents to others, please do not forget the hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, sick, imprisoned, widowed and/or ophaned people in America--and beyond--who would benefit from a small token of God’s love and your appreciation for their tenacity of hope and spirit.

Some of the charities I will donate to this CHRISTmas are:

Heifer International http://www.heifer.org/
Salvation Army http://www.salvationarmy.com/
World Vision http://www.worldvision.org/

These are but a few of the many worthy organizations that are helping others this CHRISTmas season. If you wish to share with others, please do so, by all means!


Please pray with me:

Gracious God, thank you for the gift of Jesus! Please help me to cheerfully “re-gift” Him to others this holy-day season. Please help me to share my blessings with others as I give the gift of love, time, testimony, and treasure to people in need. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.



THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html