the season? of giving?

new research indicates more and more americans see or experience christmas as a religious holiday.

we are less and less affiliated with a religious institution these days.

part of we as american like to experience around the holidays is the so-called 'season of giving.'

we like to give.

the internet has enabled us to give and give and give.

give to each other with access to any gift ever.  thank God for amazon!

give to others with access to charities and organizations. 

we like to give money from the comfort of our own homes.

we can 'respond' to crises on the other side of the world by donating to the red cross.

we can give money to organizations to help victims of natural disasters who are our own neighbors.

we like to give...

money.

this is evident in the general responses to the hurricanes and fires and earthquakes.

millions of dollars were raised in mere hours. see j.j. watt and houston.

sure, money makes the world go around.

and, financial support (tithing, offerings, alms-giving) has it's place.

it is a vital spiritual practice.

it is not the spiritual practice.

hardly will we find someone these days who is 'holier than thou'

easily will we find someone who is 'busier than thou'

one of the many invaluable life lessons i learned from my high school soccer coach is this:

you will not grow if you do not challenge yourself

are we really stepping out of our comfort zone by sitting in our computer chair and clicking 'donate'?
(as i sit at my office and type this)

think about it, though: you will not get physically stronger without some challenge or resistance.

mentally, we grow by challenging our minds, asking questions.

i believe this applies spiritually as well.

we cannot grow as christians if we do not challenge ourselves, if we do step outside of our comfort zone.

jesus commands us to do just that: step out of your comfort zone.

just as jesus gave himself - all of himself - for us, we are to give ourselves for others.

if we only give money, what are we really giving?