Christmas is the giving, receiving and paying time of the year. Stores and businesses may succeed or fail on the strength of their December sales.
Every day a new catalog arrives with a strong sales pitch. Andy Rooney, of “60 Minutes” fame and one of my all-time favorite television personalities, talked about catalogs he received. Having heard him numerous times, my guess is he will not order anything.
We all receive numerous letters asking us to give to somebody’s favorite charity or project. During the month of December all the colleges and universities I have attended, lectured or taught in, served on the Board of Trustees, on the Alumni Council or some important committee or ever sent them any money are informing me again of their tremendous needs and soliciting my “generous participation.” I hear from some college presidents whose campuses I have never seen.
In my local community there are the churches, the Christian schools, Union Mission, the county mission, Gazette Charities Christmas Fund and the Salvation Army ringing bells as we drop our money in the kettles.
Like you, I have also received letters from radio and television ministries. I heard from Angel Tree, Samaritan’s Purse, Feed the Children, Silent Blessing Deaf Ministries, various seminaries, Feed the Hungry, World Vision and Youth for Christ.
In a way it bothers me to receive all these letters and appeals. I could get upset and complain because I receive a lot of “junk mail”, but I do not look at it that way. I wish I could send large gifts to each one. I believe in those who are honest and ethical in what they do. They are deserving of our support and need it in generous measure. They help light up the world.
What about that job I think I could enjoy? It could be a part-time or a forty-hour per week job. I would like to help wealthy people, rich people and generous people find organizations that deserve their support. You see, I am convinced there are a lot of people in America and the rest of the world who would like to give more than they ever dreamed possible. They just need a little nudge, a few suggestions and some guidance as to how and where to give their money so it will do the most good.
As we approach the close of another year, we all want to be sure that we have done our best giving. Dr. Robert H. Reardon, the wise educator, suggested after more than 60 years with Anderson University, “Put your money into something that will outlast you.” Give generously, but also give wisely. I have helped raise millions of dollars as a motivational speaker, visionary and planner. I simply encourage and inspire others to give and offer suggestions as to how they may intelligently give to organizations that will be working for good causes long after they are gone.
Charles E. Heater, Jr., in a superbly written article on the “Stewardship of Stuff”, said, “Very few things in the Christian life are more rewarding than giving. Giving is the model of Christ.” Heater also reminds his readers of these words: “A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great men” (Proverbs 18:16). He also refers to St. Paul who quoted Jesus as saying, “It is more blessed to give then to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Giving brings joy and peace to the giver. Giving is the essence of the true spirit of Christmas. It all started with God giving the greatest of all gifts to the world that desperately needed that one saving gift.
Publisher's Note: Bill Ellis, Award Winning
Syndicated Columnist, P.O. Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560.
Phone:304-757-6089
www.BillEllis.Net.
