In the last several months, we have focused on several treasure principles -- how Christ is the greatest treasure of all; how God owns it all; how we are stewards, not owners; and how God blesses us, so that we may bless others.  This month, as we focus on Christ's birth as God's immeasurable gift, and on what we can give to others, let's consider a related treasure principle:  What gift does God want from us?

We spend a lot of time wrestling with whether or not we are going to do what we already know we are supposed to do, don't we?  As Christians, we often consult the Scriptures, pray, and seek the Holy Spirit's wisdom so we can consider God's plan as opposed to the route we have already planned on our own as a course of action.  However, the Scriptures make God's big plan for our lives quite obvious:  GLORIFY HIM IN EVERYTHING!  His commands throughout the Old and New Testament pave the "right" way down the road.  Have you contemplated Joshua 1:6-9 lately?  Meditate on its truths with me for a moment now.  God couldn't be clearer, when He tells us to "Be careful to obey all the law Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go" and when He cautions us to "do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful."  Obedience is the gift God wants for Christmas, and all year.  He even promises a gift in return - success!

God's Word tells us how to glorify Him by our obedience -- study Scripture, pray without ceasing, share the Gospel, give generously the way God would have us give, and use His resources according to His plan.  In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul praises the Macedonian church, not for doing what Paul expected (his human plan for a course of action), but because "they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will." (2 Cor. 8:5)  We can too!  And the rewards of giving in His will are great.  As Paul continues in 2 Corinthians 9:

Remember this:  Whosoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work...  Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.  (2 Cor. 9:6-11)

Jesus knew what He was destined to do when He emptied Himself and became incarnate, remained sinless, and died for us on the cross.  (Philippians 2:5-8)  At Christmastime, and all year, let's follow Jesus' example, trust the Father completely, and do what we are supposed to do - GIVE!  If we believe that the CCCC is a worthwhile organization, supporting churches that are redeveloping and being planted, and otherwise doing God's work, and we believe that we are supposed to be part of that good work, then the above Scriptures are clear:  We should give generously and cheerfully to the local church and the CCCC, as well as other ministries.  God's work through the CCCC is supplying your gifts to others, in order that we may be obedient and righteous in God's will.  Your gifts to the CCCC also provide the CCCC workers with wages worthy of their hire.  (1 Timothy 5:18) 

"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God."  (2 Cor. 9:12)  Isn't it amazing that, by expressing gratitude to God through our giving, He keeps His promise by giving us success in the process!

Let us exclaim every day of this month in which we celebrate Christ's glorious and grace-filled birth:  "Let every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!"  (Phil. 2:11)  "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15)

Karen Sloat, CCCC Treasurer