Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 22, 2022
Read 2 Corinthians 9:5-10
5 This is why I thought it was necessary to encourage the brothers to go to you ahead of time and arrange in advance the generous gift you have already promised. I want it to be a real gift from you. I don’t want you to feel like you are being forced to give anything. 6 What I mean is this: the one who sows a small number of seeds will also reap a small crop, and the one who sows a generous amount of seeds will also reap a generous crop. 7 Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver. 8 God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work. 9 As it is written, He scattered everywhere; he gave to the needy; his righteousness remains forever. 10 The one who supplies seed for planting and bread for eating will supply and multiply your seed and will increase your crop, which is righteousness.
Good Morning, The Prince of Peace is near.
In this season of preparation, many choose to donate money, gifts, and even money to those in need. We often do this through organizations such as social services so that those in the most need will receive the things they need. At the same time, we spend time and money choosing and making gifts for our friends and family.
Any opportunity to give and share with others provides blessings to both the giver and receiver. Paul reminds us that the more we give the more we will be blessed, but he also says that we are not required to give anything. So, why do we give of ourselves and our blessings?
Do we give out of obligation? From my experiences, those things we do out of a sense of obligation can leave a sour taste in our mouths. Imagine the one who says why should I share what I have worked so hard to acquire for myself. This way of thinking reminds me of various characters in books and movies, but especially I am reminded of Scrooge. Scrooge is a miser and when asked to help the poor, he asked, “Are there no prisons?... Are there no workhouses?” In Scrooge's eyes, the poor don't need help – he feels that no one should worry about the poor because there are prisons and workhouses for them. Prisons and workhouses which he contributes to with his taxes. Dickens uses memories and premonitions of past, present, and future Christmases to help Scrooge see the errors of his way.
Each year we are given the opportunity to be reborn and renew our lives in Christ. A little baby is sent to us to remind us of the righteousness that lies within us through the Holy Spirit. We are humans who are easily pulled to the earthly idea that the one with the most material things wins the race. Christ shows us that those who cheerfully give of themselves will receive their blessings. 9 As it is written, He scattered everywhere; he gave to the needy; his righteousness remains forever. 10 The one who supplies seed for planting and bread for eating will supply and multiply your seed and will increase your crop, which is righteousness.
From another famous miser, “And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
Accept this opportunity to find the way and reset your footing as you continue your journey of faith. Make straight in the desert a highway. May you find the true meaning of Christmas on this beautiful day that the Lord has made!
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Help us choose the path that Jesus opened for us to follow. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I will share a gift with someone today.
God Bless Us, Everyone! Pastor Liz