WHY NOT OVERSPEND THIS CHRISTMAS

He will not admit it, but I think Hennie holds his breath, at least a bit, every year when the Holidays roll around. My solution is a solid budget—though out of character for me, I try hard to adhere to it.

It is usually the day before Christmas, however, or the night before, that Hennie starts paying attention and asks for an update on who gets what. Suddenly he arrives in the moment I’ve been living in for the last month. Off he goes to save Christmas, power shopping his way through the isles while the rest of the world sips eggnog at the fire, giving total freedom to his generous heart with no budget in mind. He may enjoy the rush, but I’ve learned to anticipate his night-of-the-event standards from the start so we can also sip the nog while listening to Christmas carols Christmas Eve. He loves to shower others with gifts just like I do; we just do it differently!

Overspend. Who has not done it?

HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOU OVERSPEND:

1. Spend more than you decided on beforehand

2. Don’t have a predetermined budget

3. Experience strife in relationships because of spending

4. Suffer fulfilling financial obligations the rest of the year

5. Buy bigger and better gifts to impress or compete with others.

WHY NOT OVERSPEND?

KEEP IT REAL

While Christmas is about giving, receiving what money can’t buy is the real gift. A gift that stands alone with monetary value only is the saddest representation of the heart of Christmas, yet more common than we want to admit.

WISE GENEROSITY

Lavish giving is marvelous, mirroring what God had done for mankind when Jesus was born. It is the time of year to show generosity and shower those around us and far away with goodness and light. Let it be done, however, in wisdom and from the heart.

STAY UNITED

Breaking the unity in love relationships is contrary to the spirit of Christmas and probably the hardest issue to avoid. Staying mindful, intentional, and alert in keeping relationships flourishing during the Holidays is the greatest gift to ourselves and others.

Happy shopping! Let’s be generous while keeping it real and give what really matters!

A COUPLE REMINDERS FROM SCRIPTURE:

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I don’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 Cor 13:3 NLT

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 NIV

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:7 ESV

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Prov 11:25 ESV

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Prov 11:24 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:19-20 ESV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 ESV