Give More
We’ve talked about rebelling against consumerism by spending less but now we’re encouraging that we give more… Is that a contradiction? No – giving more isn’t about giving more stuff but about being intentional and relational by giving more of our time, our energy, our memories, our talents, our presence. God gave us the life and example of Jesus as a gift. Let’s spend less, celebrate Christmas differently and demonstrate the gift of loving and giving through our actions
From our Ministry Team
- We have already conspired to worship fully our Lord Jesus and spend less on ourselves
- This week we are thinking about how to give more to those we love
- Some of the most important things don’t cost money but can cost us personally. We can give more of ourselves and spend time with our friends and family
- John the Baptiser spent his time telling people to turn to God and expect Jesus to come. In today’s Bible reading John had even been put in prison for it. He gave a lot!
Activity: Read Matthew 11:2-5 and identify other good things that Jesus describes people being given
Bible Readings
Prayer
Lord, open our hearts
Give us the vision and determination to live, to give, and to share your love clearly and with purpose, welcoming and valuing our diversities
Reflection
Paul reminds the Galatian Christians, a gentile community, that believers in Jesus have new opportunities and obligations to work and walk as one. We have chosen Jesus and belong to him and to one another. We are first believers as one whole, unified in that belief, negating the effects of being male, female, slave, free. The categories that persist in describing and dividing us today are different – racial identities and experiences, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, power bases and political affiliation – but they must not define us. We are primarily followers of Jesus, justified solely by the love God has bestowed. We all share equally in that inheritance and mission and are called to share that willingly, openly, equally with all people
Some ideas to help us Give More (from the website)
- Check out our list from the Advent Conspiracy website(https://adventconspiracy.org/relational-gift-ideas/)
- Start small. Choose one person on your list to give a relational gift to
- On Christmas morning, turn off your phone. Take a couple hours to be present with your family and focus on the people God has put in your life
- Invest in experiences you can share. Sign up for dance lessons, go camping, plan a vacation, take cooking classes
- Pass down memories. Make a recipe book or photo album to give to your family
- Get a blank journal and write notes and prayers to your kids
- Give a copy of your favourite book to a friend and then meet up for coffee and discuss it. Then switch and read their favourite book
- Buy someone a gift that relieves a burden: babysitting money, help out with yard work, make a meal
- Give the gift of hospitality. Invite a new family over for dinner and games
- Do an activity with your kids – puzzles, jewellery making, baking, hiking, fishing, sports. Be present