In contemporary culture, people are often known by what they buy and what they possess. But in kingdom culture, faithful stewards are more likely known for what they sacrifice or give away.
Generosity is such a beautiful and enduring way to show God’s love to the world that is not soon forgotten. After all, we don’t know the three wise men by name, but we do know them by their gifts – the one who brought gold, the one who brought frankincense, the one who brought myrrh.
What gift do you want to be known by? May these ideas inspire you this season and beyond.
The one who remembers orphans and widows
- Adopt a single-parent family in need this Christmas and coordinate with your family to provide gifts, decorations, and a special holiday meal.
- If you’re handy, offer basic home repairs for single moms or widows in your community, and teach them new skills in the process.
- If you’re financially savvy, organize a free class to teach widows or single moms financial management, entrepreneurship, or job-hunting skills.
The one who befriends the lonely
- Include a place at your table this holiday season for someone who would be alone otherwise, like a foreign exchange student, a refugee, or a neighbor with no family nearby.
- Consider a long-term mentorship with a child or teen. Research tells us that many children say they don’t even have one consistent adult presence in their lives.
- Be somebody’s someone. Your presence matters.
The one who intercedes
- Dedicate each week during the holidays to a community group, like healthcare workers, teachers, or local business owners, and pray for them with your family.
- If someone asks you for prayer, pray with them right away, or commit to praying at a certain time each day or week; set an alarm on your phone so you don’t forget.
- Use your Bible and a concordance to craft a scriptural prayer for someone based on their specific need; then share it with them so they can pray it, too.
The one who notices
- Keep a special notebook or make a note on your phone when someone expresses a need; then fulfill that need when they least expect it.
- Bring a shower gift for the older children of expectant moms. Consider bringing one for the baby’s father, too!
- Put away your phone as much as possible, so you can stay present to the needs around you – at home, at work, and everywhere you go.
The one who is a present help in times of trouble
- Help a friend who has just lost a loved one get ready for the funeral. Offer to wash clothes or have them dry cleaned, or help them get ready in a way that serves them best.
- If you know someone who is suffering, offer to come and sit with them. Be their hands and feet when they don’t have the physical or emotional strength to complete the tasks they need done.
- Instead of a casserole, bring kid-friendly pizza, chicken tenders, or mac and cheese to a family in crisis.
