Christmas is the season of giving.

We are obligated to give to some, happy to give to others and urged to give to causes, organizations and those in need.

Whether we like it or not, giving is in season.

We all have limited resources. Limited money and limited time. And we might not be able to give everything that everyone is asking for.

When I was growing up, my family was involved in missions work to a group of Oaxacan Indians living in labor camps in Baja California. I remember on many occasions, our mission team brought clothing into these labor camps to distribute. As with any giveaway in the camps, there was never enough for everyone. I remember the chaos and the clamor of the people trying to get something, anything for their families. The reality was that although everyone was asking for something, we didn’t have enough.

This Christmas, chances are you will be asked to give more than you can.

If you are blessed with a large extended family,  it’s likely someone will want you to be in at least two places at once. Your kids want your attention, your parents want your attention, your grandmother wants your attention, and you just want some rest.

That’s pretty indicative of life sometimes. Sometimes we are pushed and pulled in a hundred different directions, and if we tried to go in every direction we would fall apart. Obviously, we can’t give everyone exactly what they want.

So who should we give to?

This is a question I have considered from time to time when approached by people in parking lots or gas stations asking for money. I don’t give to everyone who asks me for money, but I do give to some. What I have learned is to give to those whom I feel God is leading me to give to.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus sent his disciples into a village to go untie a donkey and its colt and bring it to him. When questioned about it, the disciples were simply to say, “The Lord has need of it”.  (Matt 21:2)

You can’t give your time, money or energy to everyone this Christmas, but you can give to those who the Lord is directing you to. A good place to start is with your own family (I Tim 5:8)

My pastor, Rod Collins has said: “You can’t do everything for everyone, but you can do something for someone. Do for the one what you can’t do for all”.

What should we give?

Although we don’t have all the time or all the resources, we do have some time and some resources.

To Moses, the Lord said: “What do you have in your hand?” (Exo 4:2)

Maybe you can’t give a family member 4 hours of your time, but do you have 45 minutes? Maybe you can’t make it to visit a loved one, but can you give them a call on the phone?

Give of what you have. Nothing more, but nothing less.
What resources of time, energy and finances do you have? Give that.

And don’t forget to give spiritual treasure to those you converse with today. In Matthew 12:35 Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things…”

When asked for money by a lame man in the temple, Peter said: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6).

Give of what you have — especially the spiritual treasure you have been given.

When should we give?

Galatians 6:10 says: “…as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

We are to give as we have opportunity. When resources and need converge, opportunity knocks.

When I was in high school, the campus pastor of my Christian school (using a football metaphor) would pray, “Lord throw me a pass today”.

What opportunities is the Lord giving to you today? What passes is He throwing in your direction?

We are to give to those who God is leading us to give to.
We are to give what we have.
And we are to give as we have opportunity.

This Christmas, let us give with the generosity, the grace, and the sacrificial love of Christ.