When Ebenezar Scrooge was visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, he received a shock. The man, whom he assumed was industrious and used his life for the accumulation of wealth, was now weighed down by chains. He was more miserable in death than in life because he understood what he had wasted.
Scrooge sought a line of reasoning to redeem himself after seeing the ghost, clutching onto his friend’s––and in extension his own––business acumen. But Marley replies with one of the most memorable lines of dialogue in the novella: “Business! … Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!” (Charles Dickens, A Christmas Story, A Classic Christmas Treasury, Quarto, 2023, p. 26).
One of the lies of our age is that we could be happy if only we had more. To gather our horde of possessions around us like a dragon in its treasure trove and delight in the number on our bank account, that is when the world tells us we have “made it.”
But the Bible teaches a different way of living, one of radical generosity focused on the joy of giving rather than receiving (Acts 20:35). No season demonstrates this truth better than Christmas when we remember how God the Father sent His Son into the world as a baby to live as a human, grow, and give His life for the sake of us all (John 3:16). Our Lord gave all––His very life––to redeem us from our sins. We are set free from the old ways of life and called to a new and better path, one that imitates the generous love of our Savior.
So, when navigating a holiday that is increasingly commercialized and focused on materialism, we need to remember the proper focus of this season. By following biblical guidelines and guardrails, we can avoid the snares that mark the path of those who love money and desire to be rich. We can look more like the joyful, transformed Scrooge at the end of the story, instead of the old miser at the beginning. For loving our neighbor is our business, during Christmas and throughout the year.
Are My Priorities Centered on Creating or Maintaining a Wealthy Lifestyle?
Let’s be honest. Money is essential in life. If we require a new house to shelter ourselves or our families, then we need enough money to purchase one. If we want to properly feed and clothe ourselves, then we need money. And for other necessary parts of life, like transportation and tools to use for work, we need money. Money is not inherently evil since it is a vital part of living and working in this world. However, it becomes a problem when we start making it the goal of our lives.
Paul warned Timothy about the snares of wealth. Many people have, and continue to, pierce themselves with troubles and grief in their greedy desire to be rich. This is why the Apostle reminded Timothy that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Think of all the ways this “love” manifests itself. When someone so desperately wants to create or maintain a wealthy lifestyle, they will do whatever it takes to horde their resources. If necessary, they will steal, accept bribes, turn away from those in need, and rationalize their stinginess by arguing they are acting wisely in preserving their wealth. People who love money become miserable slaves to a lesser god that cannot satisfy.
Any of us can become ensnared by an obsession with wealth, even if we are not overly rich. The temptation is especially heightened by the materialism that marks the holidays because we are constantly bombarded with messages about how a happy or fulfilling Christmas is based upon having lots of items for ourselves and those we care about. The more expensive the gifts, the better.
Scripture, though, provides us with the important reminder that chasing after wealth for the sake of being rich only brings trouble. Money is a resource that should be properly stewarded, not hoarded or set up as a key to happiness. When thinking of Christmas and gift buying, we are wise to consider our priorities and align our approach to what best matches our identities as Christ followers.
Am I More Focused on Gifts Than God?
Giving and receiving gifts is a fun part of the holidays. Many of us have fond memories of childhood when we opened a present and discovered the toy we had dreamed about. Parents and family members enjoy seeing the delight on the faces of kids and loved ones at the unwrapping of a gift. It becomes a gift to the giver.
Yet sometimes Christmas celebrations in our society seem too focused on presents. We can even get into competitions with relatives and friends about who can outdo the other in the quality or size of presents. At times, we may give only with the intention of getting something in return.
If we find ourselves anticipating what’s under the tree this Christmas more than remembering why the celebration exists, then we need to take a step back to reflect. There is nothing wrong with enjoying gifts from friends or giving them to family members. Every good gift ultimately comes from our Father in heaven (James 1:17). But if we are obsessed with the accumulation of goods and money, our focus is misplaced. Jesus said that we cannot serve two masters because one will be hated while the other is loved (Matthew 6:24). Our devotion to God is divided if we are serving mammon through our desire to amass gifts and an appearance of wealth.
A possible remedy is to forego gifts if they have overcrowded the focus of Christmas, or to be sparing in shopping. Instead of asking ourselves, “What do I want?” We can ask: “What do others need? How can I serve them this Christmas in a way that reflects the self-giving love of Jesus?” Participating in a movement like Advent Conspiracy, which recenters the focus on Jesus during Christmas, can also help us regain proper perspective.
May we share the riches of God’s grace. For as the Apostle Paul wrote, “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9, NLT).
Do I Already Have More Than Enough? What Did I Do With Last Year’s Gifts?
A healthy way to combat a tendency toward greed is to practice contentment. Having what we need and being happy with enough helps us see that extra things are not necessary for an abundant life. We understand the truth of our Savior’s words that our life is not about how much we own (Luke 12:15).
Godliness combined with contentment is worth more than all the riches in the world (1 Timothy 6:6-9). A person who loves money never has enough, though they may be wealthy (see Proverbs 23:4-5 and Ecclesiastes 5:10). In contrast, the individual who is happy with enough, and who gives thanks to the Lord for what they have, feels rich even if they do not have much material wealth. They obey Scripture by being content with what they have and finding strength in God’s ever-present love (Hebrews 13:5).
Before stacking up the boxes or scrolling through an online store, we should take some time to look around and consider all that the Lord has provided. Scripture tells us to be content with necessities, like food and clothing. Simple living with an emphasis on gratitude is what marks a joyful life–especially during Christmastide when we remember the greatest gift that was given to us. In Jesus, we have all we need.
Is There an Emphasis on Giving to Those in Need in My Holiday Plans?
At Christmas, we celebrate the Father sending the Son to save us. He came to us in our need and immense spiritual poverty to free us from slavery to sin. Only because of His kindness were we rescued from our former position in darkness and placed in the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). Such truth has the power to transform our perspective this season, recognizing the need to tangibly share the love of God with others.
The Bible tells us that true religion consists of caring for widows and orphans, those who are most vulnerable in society (James 1:27). If we see those in need around us, and do nothing to help them, then our actions do not match our profession of faith (James 2:14-16). We are not saved by what we do, but redeemed individuals will produce works as the fruit of faith (see James 2:26). Caring for others through relational involvement mirrors the kindness that the Lord has shown us.
In what ways do our Christmas celebrations include the least vulnerable, such as those struggling in poverty, orphans, widows, those suffering from homelessness, or elderly shut-ins? Numerous opportunities exist for us to use our resources to bless the lives of others, including money that we may have otherwise used on unneeded items. By simplifying our gift-giving, we can make more room for investing in the lives of others through our time and money.
This may look different for each of us. An individual may forego an elaborate setup for Christmas Eve dinner and instead make more room for isolated neighbors and church members to attend. Another person may decide to reduce the number of gifts they buy in order to give to a charity to help those in need. And still another could start a family tradition of incorporating giving in their yearly festivities, through donations or volunteering. Regardless of how we choose to extend the kindness and love of Jesus to others, let us remember the most vulnerable this holiday season.
Where Am I Laying Up Treasure?
Preparation is an essential part of Christmas. We must plan for putting up Christmas lights, decorating the tree, wrapping presents, baking cookies, and creating the menu for Christmas dinner. Often, the work starts long before December’s arrival, overlapping with other holiday events.
In the flurry of physical preparations, though, we can too easily overlook the need to prepare our hearts for Christmas, and in extension, eternity. An emphasis on joining in the ancient church practice of observing Advent has provided a corrective for many believers. By remembering Jesus’ first coming and considering His soon return, we reflect on our focus. Are we merely storing treasures here on earth, or are we considering how to lay up treasure for heaven? If we focus our treasure-building on eternity, then that is where our heart's focus will be (Matthew 6:19-21).
Especially for those who are richer in material wealth, the goal is not more money but to be rich spiritually. As the Apostle Paul said, mirroring the words of the Savior, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19, NIV).
Instead of amassing wealth and presents, an abundant life is about recognizing the riches we have in Christ and sharing what we have with others. We live with open hands as followers of the Lamb, trusting that every good thing given is another piece of treasure stored for eternity.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/ Heidi Fin
