A television commercial I enjoy at Christmastime shows two neighbors in
a friendly competition with each other to see who can spread the most Christmas
cheer. Each keeps an eye on the other as he decorates his house and trees with
lights. Then each upgrades his own property to look better than the other’s.
They then start competing over who can give the most extravagantly to other
neighbors, running around cheerfully sharing gifts.
God’s people aren’t in a competition to see who can give the most, but
we are called to be “ready to give, willing to share” (1 Tim. 6:18). The
apostle Paul instructed the church at Corinth: “Let each one give as he
purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful
giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).
At Christmastime, as we share gifts with others, we remember the
generosity of God toward us—He gave us His Son. Ray Stedman said, “Jesus set
aside His riches and entered into His creation in a state of poverty in order
to enrich us all by His grace.”
No gift-giving could ever compete with the Lord’s extravagance. We thank
God for the indescribable gift of Jesus! (v.15).
No gift is greater than the gift of Christ Himself. (RBC)
