By Elexcia Washington
SBS Director of Advancement
As fall transitions to winter, we enter a season of giving. We give thanks for all the blessings God has bestowed on us. We thank him for our family, for health, for promotions, and for new life. We thank him for His faithfulness toward us.
Then, we immediately switch to Christmas-time mode. Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales abound while stores stay open a few hours later to ensure we have time to buy the perfect gifts for our loved ones. But through all the hustle and bustle, it is easy to let this beautiful season of giving become a rote occasion for spending.
So, how do we ensure this season of celebrating the birth of our Savior does not become a glorified exercise in consumption? The answer is simple yet profound. We prayerfully fix our minds on the reason we celebrate the Messiah’s birth, which is by the “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sake he became poor, so that we by his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9.)
As we meditate on this scripture, we come to full view what this gift entailed—a sacrifice of his life and his heavenly riches and estate. His giving had great purpose: for us to be part of His Father’s Kingdom. In like manner, if as believers we are called to be conformed to Christ’s image and nature, then we, too, should orient our giving for Kingdom purpose.
As we purchase gifts for our children and other loved ones, let us prayerfully consider the Kingdom purpose behind our giving. Let us also orient our giving this season by offering gifts to organizations that directly make a Kingdom impact, like StoneBridge School.
When you give with the Kingdom in mind, you’re blessed to know Christ even more, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffering (Philippians 3:10). We are truly filled with his fullness when we surrender our own agendas and give as He gave to us.
May we seek to give this season with purpose as our Father in Heaven gave to us.
