Holiday Giving with Simplicity

Gene and I spent our first Christmas Eve together in Melbourne, Australia with several friends. On this warm summer evening at Manya’s apartment, we enjoyed fresh fruit, cold chicken, bread from a local bakery, jasmine tea, and champagne. As we were singing holiday songs, Gene and Terre disappeared for a bit. They returned as…Santa and the Christmas Fairy! Bearing gifts for all!

The details of their costume and the gifts I can’t really recall. But I do remember the on-the-spot inspiration and the love they put into thinking it all up for the rest of us, and making it happen in such a delightful way and in such a short time.

In this holiday season where so many fall prey to worldly expectations and obligations, I remind myself of that long ago evening. We had all been so busy sharing God’s love and His Word that we really hadn’t any time (or money!) to shop for gifts or make an elaborate meal or plan a big party or send cards or decorate or……….

Here’s a scripture that describes what we did have time for.

Romans 12:8:
…he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity.

Because we have received God’s bountiful love in His Son Jesus Christ that meets our every need, we have all we are to give. And this verse describes how to do it: with simplicity. This word “simplicity” means pure-hearted, without any other motive or intent mixed in. (For more insight on this word, see Purposeful Giving, Part 3.)

Furthermore, this scripture leads into the context of “love…without dissimulation (hypocrisy)” in verse 9. Our giving is always free, no strings attached, no hidden agenda. Next time you feel the pressure to “live up to” the world’s version of this season, just remember how much you have of God’s immeasurable love to give with simplicity. Happy Holidays!