By Ron Holton, Pastor, RockPointe Church
The season of giving is upon us. Why? What makes our hearts and minds turn to giving in November and December? How can we meaningfully act on the desire?
It starts with giving thanks. As our t-shirt slogan society notes, “It’s not happy people who are thankful, it’s thankful people who are happy.” Taking time in November to express our gratitude changes our outlook, and our focus. It awakens the desire within us to be a giver.
Where does the desire to be a giver come from? It comes from our creator. We’re created in the image of God, and one of the hallmark characteristics of God, is giving. One of the first scriptures people learn tells us: For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
God gave us the gift of His Son, and His heart for us is to give as well. Matthew 25:31-40 paints a clear picture. Jesus describes what His people can expect at the final judgement: Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.
The people don’t understand. While they may remember doing kind things – giving – they don’t recall doing these for Jesus. He explains in Matthew 25:40, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
So don’t ignore that tug on your heart to give this season – it’s good for you and it’s good for others.
The Pastor’s Place features columns written by a different area church leader each month. Call 940-728-8284 for more information.
