‘Tis the season

This WFTD is risky, but what the heck Im a risk taker. I want to tell you about some experiences I have had lately and it may sound to some as Im tooting my own horn. This is absolutely not the case, rather I hope that by my telling my experience you will try what I tried and receive equal blessings. The last couple of times I went through the airport, I id something new. When I drove up to outside baggage claim and saw this man standing out in the cold, I was overcome with compassion. Normally I tip the bag handler a dollar per bag with a two dollars minimum tip. Instead I handed him a fifty dollar bill, looked in his eyes and said, Merry Christmas my brother. Tears welled in his eyes and he said, You just do not know what this means to me. My wife… I stopped him mid-sentence and told him that it is unnecessary to thank me; this is what Christmas is all about and walked away. I then went and had breakfast. My tab came to six dollars; I gave her a twenty, told her to keep it and wished her Merry Christmas. I got a $5 dollar shoe shine and again gave the man twenty dollars. I went through a toll road and paid for the car behind me as well as my toll.



In a small, but big way I touched the lives of several people who were complete strangers; people who I will likely never see again. At this time of year I always give people like my barber, my handyman, and others a ham. Teresa and I buy several large sugar coated hams and we wait until the very last minute to drive all over town handing them out, often to people we do not know that well. We do not want them to feel obligated to give us something in return. We do many other similar things, but enough has been said for everyone to get the picture. Christmas is about giving.



The Bible tells us that it is more blessed to give than receive. I can personally attest to the truth in this. I wouldnt take anything for the looks in the eyes of the recipients of my gifts and the satisfaction of knowing that I have helped turn someones day around a little and made it brighter. Again, Christmas is about giving! God gave His Son Jesus Christ as a perfect gift to us. The next time you pass a Salvation Army bucket, put some money in. Not loose change, but a twenty, fifty, or even a hundred. Most everyone knows someone who needs help, why not you being the person to render it? Dont know anyone? Do as I did, pick out someone who you do not even know and will never likely see again and lend them a helping hand.



The Bible states that we should do our good deeds in secret, not for public consumption. We should not let the right hand let the left hand know what it is doing. He will see in secret and bless you. If you go around bragging about it, you will have already received your reward from men, not from the Lord. (Matt.6:1-4) My efforts in writing this are not intended as Sounding a trumpet before me, bragging or trying to make anyone feel good about me. I used to hear my preacher tell how much he and his wife gave to the church and it always made me feel uncomfortable. As a teacher of sorts myself, I now know why he was doing it and it was to try and tell others how giving had worked to bless him and his family, and to help set an example not to brag. I hope that you will likewise understand my purpose with this message. Be generous this season and not just with your personal family and friends. Reach out to those less fortunate and then reap the rewards. One day we will all be stripped of every possession and will be naked and penniless. When we die and face judgment, the only possessions we will be allowed to retain will be the good works we have conducted in this life.

Matt. 6:19

Do not lay for yourselves

treasures on earth, where moth and

rust destroy and where thieves break

in and steal;

but lay up for yourselves treasures

in heaven where neither moth

nor rust destroys and where thieves

do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is,

there your heart will be also.

How well do you know the Bible?

Jesus stated that the world hates Him. This is a puzzling statement that almost defies logic. Why would the world hate anyone who was so good, peaceful, and loving? Jesus told us why the world hates Him in the Bible. In Jesus Christs own words, why does the world hate Him?

John 7:7

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