When we were kids, was their anything greater than receiving gifts on Christmas morning? We tried to stay awake just to drift off and wake up again at dawn to run downstairs to see what presents were ready to open. As we have gotten older, the joy to watch others open their presents we give them including our children, our parents, our spouse is just as exciting. We can have joy in both receiving and giving.
WARM-UP
Talk about your favorite Christmas memory as a child and as an adult.
What are your different feelings when it comes to giving gifts and receiving them?
WORKOUT
Although we didn’t have a problem receiving as kids, sometimes we can have a problem receiving as adults, especially when it comes to money. Maybe we have fallen on hard times financially with the loss of a job, and we need help with money or a place to stay; it can often be easier to give than it is to receive. It’s humbling to need help with money or offered meal, but that’s how the body of Christ is supposed to work. At times God will ask us to give to someone in need, but then other times we need to be ready to receive—and that is OK. We must be ready for both. We can give because we have received, and we can receive because we have been given.
We learn that Jesus as the Son of God, King of kings and Messiah of the world and His disciples were supported by other people in their ministry.
Be encouraged to know from the moment Jesus was born, He used someone else’s stable. Throughout His ministry, He was supported by other people’s resources. And yes, even the tomb where His body lay after the crucifixion was given to Him by Joseph of Arimathea. It’s humbling and sometimes hard to reach out to others to ask for help whether its prayer, someone to talk to and yes, even financial help, but If Jesus and His disciples can do it, so can we.
WRAP-UP
When was a time you needed help financially?
What is the difference when we give versus when we receive?
Pray together.