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Five Ways to make 2019 a great year
While the Bible doesn’t specifically address holiday spending, it has plenty to say about being faithful with our finances. Here are five biblical ideas to help you honor God with your budget this Christmas.
I will Grow Closer though Christ through a systematic Bibel Reading plan
1. Have a budget.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But of every one that is hasty only to want.
Planning leads to abundance, but those who are “hasty” will come to poverty. Heading to the mall for Christmas shopping without a firm budget is a recipe for debt—something the Bible strongly warns against.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 time 3.1
says planning leads to abundance, but those who are “hasty” will come to poverty. Heading to the mall for Christmas shopping without a firm budget is a recipe for debt—something the Bible strongly warns against. Before you begin shopping, make a list of everyone who’s getting a gift and set a limit for each of those gifts. Then stick to it, and refuse to spend money you don’t have. If that means hiding your credit card for the season and only using cash, do it. Do whatever it takes to keep your Christmas spending from following you into next year.
2. I will grow Closer through Christ by constant Praying
>> How can I keep from overspending at Christmas? Billy Graham’s Answer.
>> What does the Bible say about debt? Billy Graham’s Answer.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
2. Give to Christ first.
3. I will Grow Closer though Christ through weekly Church attendance
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
matt 25.40
tithe
special offerings
others
When Jesus was born, wise men came to offer gifts to the newborn baby, the Savior of the world. Today, we can’t literally give a gift to Jesus, but we can give to causes that are close to His heart. Jesus said, “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (). When you make your gift list, don’t forget to give to Christ first. What can you do for “the least of these” this Christmas?
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
>> How should I decide where to donate this Christmas? Billy Graham’s Answer.
4. I will Grow Closer though Christ through Serving others
3. Keep things in perspective.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Living in America around Christmastime can numb us to the realities outside our world of abundance and excess. Don’t lose sight of how fortunate we are. Most of the people in the world live off less than $10 a day. You can bet they aren’t stressing over Christmas lists; they’re likely focused on where their next meal will come from. In the United States, millions of people live below the poverty line. Many children have a less-than-joyful Christmas because their parents are absent, in jail or can’t afford presents. These are a few things to keep in mind when holiday stress creeps into your heart.
5. I will Grow Closer though Christ through giving of my Financial Resources
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Living in America around Christmastime can numb us to the realities outside our world of abundance and excess. Don’t lose sight of how fortunate we are. Most of the people in the world live off less than $10 a day. You can bet they aren’t stressing over Christmas lists; they’re likely focused on where their next meal will come from. In the United States, millions of people live below the poverty line. Many children have a less-than-joyful Christmas because their parents are absent, in jail or can’t afford presents. These are a few things to keep in mind when holiday stress creeps into your heart.
4. Check your motives.
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” —Jesus (, ESV)
Motives matter
When Jesus taught about giving, He made it clear that motives matter. We should always be aware of our reasons for giving, but Christmas is a great time for a heart check in this area. Whether you’re giving gifts to family and friends or donating to a church or charity, ask yourself why you’re giving. Is it out of obligation? Pride? Keeping up with the Joneses? If your motives are less than pure, ask God to help you give for the right reasons; then ask Him to show you how to give in a way that honors Him.
Why do I always overspend on gifts my friends and family don’t even need?
Our relatives always give expensive Christmas gifts. How can we tell them we can’t afford to do the same?
5. Be an evangelistic giver.
Missions, helping others, special funds at the church, cooking for a shut in
How can you adjust your Christmas list to use it for God’s glory? This doesn’t necessarily mean giving everyone a Bible or a Christian book. What it means is finding ways to leverage your giving for God’s Kingdom.
Where should you start? Think about people in your life who don’t know Jesus or who may have wandered away from God. Then think about how you can build relationships with them over the holidays. Something as simple and inexpensive as a batch of cookies can be evangelistic if it gives you a chance to spend a few minutes with that neighbor you wave to over the fence but don’t know very well.
Whatever you decide to do, make an effort to give gifts that point people to Jesus Christ, the greatest gift this world has ever seen.