I want to write a little about gifting. As Christmas approaches in our broken world, many people will be spending a fortune on gifts for their friends and family, without really considering their reason for doing so.
I know it’s a bit of a cliché to say Christmas has been commercialised, but it’s absolutely true. The Bible says you cannot worship both God and money, yet so many Christians (or at least, those who identify as Christian) join in with the shopping sprees and excessive spending at this time of year.
Does it please God that we would prefer to buy a games console for our child than sit down with them with an open Bible on Christmas Day? I doubt it.
A different type of gifting is the talent God has given to every human being. We all have talents that we can nurture. If God-ordained, our gifting would rarely involve financial excess. Instead, we can pursue our unique calling by taking time to pray and have meaningful conversations with one another exploring what visions and skills God has given us. We should also ask God to reveal how we can live in devotion to Him, as this may be different for every person.
As you plan your Christmas Day this year, see if you can minimise your spending to the greatest extent possible. Consider giving Christmas dinner money to the poor and fast instead of indulging. God sees everything you do.
Be mindful of the Day of Judgement, which will inevitably come if the Abrahamic religions are to be believed. Make your Christmas plans with that Day in mind, and you will likely experience a richer and more meaningful Christmas.
Perfect Chaos 
4 responses to “Gifting”
Such a good reminder of the reason for the season.
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Mary 🙏🏻
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Yes, I agree with you, Steven! Personally, I don’t celebrate Christmas… or any of the pagan holidays. I find it interesting that ‘religious’ people (such as “Christians”) have forsaken the feasts and celebrations that the Creator laid out and said “Remember”. Instead, combining with pagan holy days of old. It’s disheartening, to say the least. As you said, it’s good to remember what we are doing and WHY. For the One who Judges will be the one we answer to in the end.
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Thanks, Tara! I don’t know much about the pagan holidays. God has made my focus the Abrahamic religions. The Tanakh, the Bible, and the Qur’an are a line of revelations all echoing the same truths (at least, in my understanding) with the person of Abraham – favoured by and devoted to the One God – at the centre. But yes, your last sentence sums up the Truth I suppose. God bless you and great to hear from you!
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