Teaching Generosity This Christmas

What word do you hear most often around Christmas?

Some might say joy. Others might suggest peace.

But studies show the most often used word during this season is gift. That shouldn’t surprise us. Think about it. In the last couple of weeks before Christmas, we’re running around frantically, looking for the right gift. The night before the big day, children will stay up all night, wondering about the presents under the tree. 

In fact, the tie between giving and Christmas goes all the way back to the nativity story. Jesus—whom Paul calls God’s “indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV)—was the original Christmas gift. 

Even the most famous Bible verse celebrates this truth about the Christmas story. “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NCV).

It’s easy for those in our congregations to get caught up on the wrong side of giving. We can all be tempted to think “give me” instead of “give more.” We’re constantly told the lie that happiness can be purchased. Christmas and all its focus on giving and getting just exacerbates the problem. 

But, pastor, we know that none of us can buy happiness. The only antidote to the materialism that threatens our churches is generosity. Every time we teach our people to give, we help them break free from the chains of materialism in their lives.

Here are some practical ways you can do that. 

• Share from the Bible. Throughout the Scriptures, God’s Word stresses the importance of giving. You’ll have plenty of passages to preach from! The word giving (or give) is used 2,162 times in the Bible! The Bible is a book about giving. Never apologize for sharing what the Bible clearly teaches on any topic—even giving.
• Never pressure anyone to give. Pressure hardens hearts and is counter-productive. I always told my church family at Saddleback that if they ever felt pressured to give, they shouldn’t do it. Giving under pressure won’t count in God’s book. He wants your heart more than he wants your money. 
• Share models of sacrificial giving. Models are especially important when you’re learning new skills, and that’s exactly what your congregants are doing when they’re learning generosity. Share stories of giving in newsletters, in your weekend services, email, etc. 
• Focus on the attitude, not the amount. God couldn’t care less about the amount your people give. Instead, he’s interested in their attitude about giving. God doesn’t want our money as much as what it represents: our hearts. 
• Tie it to spiritual maturity. God is a giver, and he wants us to become like him. You cannot become like Jesus until you learn to be generous.
  God wants all of us to learn to put him first in all areas of our lives. Note that the Bible says the purpose of the tithe is “to teach you always to put God first in your lives” (Deuteronomy 14:23 TLB).
  Giving isn’t a separate topic from spiritual maturity; it’s integral to it. 
• Show your people the joy of giving. Giving is an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing and make a lasting difference in the world. God doesn’t need our money, but he wants us to get in on his blessing. If your congregants are not giving out of joy, you don’t want them to give. Remember, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).

God gave the greatest gift of history on the first Christmas. Because God gave his only Son, we can celebrate the most important news ever on Christmas.

May God’s gift inspire us to teach people to reflect God’s generosity this Christmas.