Acts 20: 35
"I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak.  And remember the words of the LORD JESUS, that He said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive'."

   Thanksgiving Day is now over and Christmas is well on its way.  It is a season of giving of gifts.  In the above scripture Paul is preparing to journey to Jerusalem.  Paul labored to support himself in his ministry so he would not be a burden on those around him.  Yet, he himself states that we have a responsibility to help those who are less fortunate than us.  

   It is easy for us to get so wrapped up in getting gifts for our families and providing for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals.  However, the LORD wants us to remember those in our lives who are in need of our help.  This by freely (not forced) giving, granting, bestowing, presenting, offering, and yes, even paying for some sort of gift that of great value to someone who is in need.  

   Let me give you an example.  One Christmas, many years ago, we had six small children and a seventh one on the way.  We didn¹t know how we were going to celebrate Christmas with the kids.  There was no money for gifts or food.  My husband and I prayed and decided that we could trust the LORD.  We got a phone call from K-Mart Department Store saying that our children had some toys that had been donated for them.  I humbly and thankfully went down to pick them up.  When I arrived home a couple from our church was standing in our living room with boxes and sacks of food for our family.  It was an incredible answer to our prayer!

   Pray during this season!  Perhaps the LORD will take advantage of your open heart and let you minister hope and joy to a family in need.  Believe me, it is more blessed to give than to receive.  I have been a receiver and I have been a giver. The blessing I have reaped from giving is incredible, even more outstanding than what I described above!  Try it, you will see what I mean.