A Life in Exile

As the Advent season began in full swing on December 1, which was a Sunday this year, my life group at church had an interesting discussion about what hinders us from focusing on Christ at Christmas. As “mature” women, we’ve each experienced decades of Christmases from our childhoods through early marriage and young families to empty nests and grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. What hindered us from focusing on Jesus? The pressure of gift-giving!

Most of us have lived long enough to remember Christmas before the overwhelming commercialization of the holiday. The expectations of newer generations can be hard to live up to, so I loved it when I heard one class member say that this year she was supporting projects from the Samaritan’s Purse catalog in honor of her grandchildren instead of giving money directly to them. Another shared that she was spending less, so she could give more to mission and non-profit organizations for the holiday.

What does our gift-giving say about our priorities?

As we discussed this topic together, I was so encouraged by these women. For Southern Baptists, Christmas has always been the time we emphasize giving to missions, especially through our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions. I grew up saving my coins and hearing the story of Lottie Moon, who lived and served in China, so my mind naturally goes toward supporting my fellow SBC missionaries at this time of the year.

Still, the conversation of that Sunday pricked my heart, as I remembered sharing with my children my own “wish list” for Christmas. What am I, a woman of a certain age, doing making a list of wants for Christmas? Do I not have enough? Do I need to always have a gift for myself under the tree? Is being with family and friends not enough for me? Must there always be more?

It’s not just about how much I spend for my family at Christmas but about my own expectations as well. Where are my priorities in this world where we have more than enough stuff?

What does my giving to missions and ministries say about my motivations?

I can sincerely say I give to the Lottie Moon offering out of a love for missions. After all, I was supported by this offering for over twenty years, when I served overseas through the International Mission Board, and I continue to benefit from it today. But what does my heart say when I get the many end-of-the-year letters from other organizations? Do I roll my eyes and throw them quickly into the trash or do I set them aside to pray over and ask how God might want me to help?

Yes, I know without a limitless income, we cannot give to every organization that calls for our help, but we can help. Sometimes, it’s by giving a little to many or a lot to a few. That must come at the direction of the Holy Spirit. The important thing is we give cheerfully and not out of compulsion. Why? God loves a cheerful giver.

Missionaries long for cheerful givers.

It is hard to ask people for money. Those who are called to serve the nations would love it if they could be obedient to that call without anyone’s help, but even Lottie Moon knew that the needs around her in China required a group effort, and she told her mission board as much.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful and amazing if Christians cheerfully gave to the missionaries their church or denomination supports without them having to ask? I think such generous and cheerful giving would speed the return of Christ Jesus! Why? Because those reaching the nations would be able to focus on their work and not having to write letters asking for help or visiting their home countries to raise funds.

What will you do this year to advance the cause of Christ among the nations?

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Mission Monday post, click HERE, or check out these posts about giving and missions: The Gift that Keeps on Giving, What’s in a Number?, and It’s Their Turn.