Glad Tithings

Family newsletter of Christian Stewardship Ministries

"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." (1 Cor. 4:2)

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© 1997 by Christian Stewardship Ministries

Glad Tithings is a newsletter of Christian Stewardship Ministries, a nonprofit public foundation. To receive Glad Tithings regularly, send your name and address (with a zip code) to CSM. Gifts are tax deductible, greatly needed and deeply appreciated. The ministry's annual cost per person is approximately $15. Any portion of this newsletter may be quoted or reproduced without further permission, provided excerpts are in context, by adding the following credit line: "Reprinted from Christian Stewardship Ministries' newsletter Glad Tithings, Fairfax, Virginia," and furnishing a copy to CSM.

Christian Stewardship Ministries, 10523 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. Telephone 703-591-5000, fax 703-273-1795, e-mail CSM

Can Santa Claus, candy canes, yule logs and mistletoe replace Christ in Christmas? No, of course not. The real spirit of Christmas remains forever embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.

As Christians, our desire at Christmas and throughout the year, is to focus on Jesus on a daily basis. What is different about Christmas is that it may be the one time during the year when others may catch a glimpse of Him as well.

Putting Christ First

We have a unique opportunity at Christmas to put Jesus first and to share Him with others. We can take advantage of the frantic gift-giving season to tell others about God’s greatest gift. We can help them see beyond the glitter and the frivolity to the One praised by angels, adored by shepherds and worshiped by wise men. Sharing God’s love with those for whom Christ died could be your greatest gift this Christmas.

What about holiday traditions? Some of them may have grown out of pagan and even anti-Christian beginnings. But the critical issue is not where a tradition came from, but whether or not it obscures our vision of what is really important. Does a tradition cause us to lose sight of Christ’s birth as a pivotal event in human history? Does it direct us away from rather than toward Jesus? Is it simply a manmade excuse for eating and drinking and giving and getting? We must hold true to the essence of our faith: God loved us enough to send His Son to dwell among us, live a sinless life and then die in our place. Our traditions should remind us of this truth.

Sharing Jesus

We really don’t know what month or season Jesus was born. December is actually less likely than some other months. But when is not important. What matters is whether He was born. Very few question that there was a historical man named Jesus. Those who doubt do not question His existence, rather they question who He was.

Most people know that Jesus was a real flesh-and-blood person. And many informed doubters will agree that Jesus was a good, honest, moral person–probably the best person who ever lived. However, they do not acknowledge Him as God. And therein lies the problem with their logic.

That is because Jesus claimed to be God. He was either the biggest fraud ever to be foisted on mankind or He was who He said He was. He left no room for doubt.

If He truly was the good, honest, moral, sane person everyone agrees He was, how could He be the biggest fraud in history? And if He was not a fraud, then He had to be who He said He was.

Christmas is one of the most logical times of the year to present the claims of Christ to an unbelieving world. The habit of Christmas is working for you, if you can just overcome the havoc of Christmas.

Ask God to show you the person He wants you to share His Son with during this holiday season. Is it a neighbor, a friend, a family member, a stranger? Help someone you know or meet be born again this birthday season. That is a gift that is good for eternity.

Dealing with Debt at Christmas

Does Christmas bust your budget? Are you dreading going further into debt? Stop right there and use the pressure you are now feeling to begin to climb out of the money pit. Decide you are not going to borrow any more. Get rid of credit cards or put them in a safe place and do not use them. Ask someone to hold you accountable to your commitment not to borrow any more money for any purpose.

Now focus on paying off what you owe. If you have savings, you might want to use some of that. It does not do any good to have money in the bank if you are paying interest on borrowed money. It gives you a false sense of security and usually costs more than you are earning on your savings.

Where can you reduce spending temporarily? Pour all you possibly can into debt reduction. The sooner you get your debts paid off, the sooner you will have money for other priorities. Until you pay all that you owe, you will not have the financial freedom you are seeking.

Thinking about consolidating your debts? Don’t! If you take the pressure off with a consolidation loan, not only will you increase the amount of money you owe, you will also decrease your motivation to attack your overall debt. Consolidation loans merely delay the date for paying your debt off, often costing you more in the long run.

Controlling Christmas Costs

Is God going to be happy with the way you celebrate His birthday this year? Are you planning ahead for wise stewardship of the resources He has given you?

First, decide how much you should spend during the entire year for all gifts. List all the people to whom you will give gifts. Make separate columns for Christmas, birthdays and other occasions. Also note in your Christmas column money to be set aside for a Christmas tree, decorations and extra food.

Next, decide how much money you will spend for each person for birthdays and Christmas. If you are married, do this with your spouse. Agree on what your gifts to each other will cost and how much each child’s gift will cost. Don’t forget birthday parties.

Use the "other" column for calculating the cost of gifts for anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentines Day, weddings, showers, graduations and so on.

As you go down your list, from close family to relatives, to friends, to neighbors, to office, to school, you will be amazed at the number of gifts. If this is a problem area for you, you will need to make changes at two points. You will need to reduce the number of people and occasions, and you will need to reduce the amount you spend on each. Do not increase your budget. If you do, you will need to sacrifice in another area that is probably a higher priority.

Remember, your Christmas giving should glorify Jesus, not represent the recipient’s worth to you. Let your giving reflect God’s love for that person. Consider investing yourself in the person rather than money.

Getting Ready to Celebrate

Are you ready for a joyous celebration? You will be if you focus first and foremost on the person whose birthday we are rejoicing in.

Plan to put Jesus in the center of your Christmas. Look for ways to share Him with others who may be open to hearing about the "reason for the season." Don’t overextend yourself to celebrate–reduce your debts rather than adding to them. Keep your gift-giving within the bounds of the resources God has given you. Find alternative ways to express your love for others so they are blessed and you are not hindered by debt. Then you will be ready to welcome our Savior with joy.