What part will you play this Christmas season?
Are you Santa, dressed in the red suit, handing out the gifts on Christmas day?
Or are you the chef behind the scenes, creating a masterpiece of culinary delight so that others can gorge in blissful rapture?
Do you need people to rave over your efforts, to ooh and aah over the Christmas display in your yard? Is that what makes Christmas worth it to you?
Here’s what we learn from Matthew 6:2:
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Ouch, ouch! That stings. Does this mean that we can’t expect just a little bit of reward … one compliment … or maybe two?
The Word says it, not me, not you.
However, see what else the Bible tells us in Proverbs 11:25:
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
So, don’t give up on your good deeds. Don’t push them aside and think, “Ah, this is of no benefit, so why bother.”
God’s Holy Word also tells us in Romans 11:29:
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
Your desire to do good deeds is part of who you are. That’s your God-given nature. Your Christmas calling. You can no more discard it than you can toss out your dreams, desires, or emotions.
Use it. Build on it. Share it. Let others reap the benefit of your bountiful nature.
Your reward will come. You are enriching others, and you will be enriched in return.
God provides the opportunity so that we can step in and fill the need.
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