Gifts for Everyone?

This is the time of year that most of us look forward to with family and friends. It is also a time to get ready for Christmas. The celebration of the birth of Jesus has been ongoing for, well since He was born. Somehow over the years the time to celebrate Jesus coming to earth has turned into a secular competition for giving and getting presents. It is so tempting to go into debt to make sure you please everyone and keep up with everyone else. I can say this because when I was a young man I got caught up in this too. In Luke 12:15 Jesus said, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Beware of coveting, which is breaking the tenth commandment-Exodus 20:17.   

       Covetousness is a craving, a desire for more. It is greediness, dissatisfaction with what is enough. It includes the cravings for both material things and fleshly indulgence. It is a lust so deep within a man that he finds his happiness in “stuff” instead of in God. It goes beyond the pleasure of possessing things for their own sakes. A person’s success or worth is not in earthly possessions. True riches and abundance are in Christ. Paul says we brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing with us when we leave-1 Timothy 6:7. -For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out“. This is referring to your birthday, the day you came into this world with nothing materialistically. Today you are celebrating that day, what better way than to begin now with a plan to celebrate Jesus like you have never celebrated before. Happy Birthday, I hope it’s a good one.

Mike R

  ’67 / ’83 Jacksonville FL