Giving away the best things

Christmas might be a little bit different this year.

So many people are worried about jobs, employment and being prepared it makes me wonder how the shopping season will go this year?

If spending is down, how much will it go down?

Will people still try to spend as much?

How will the stores deal with the fact consumer purchases might be down?

I know personally for us, our spending will be way down with the fact we are trying to do a better job with our budget.

That if we can't save for Christmas, we are not going to spend money we don't have.

It's easy to go shopping for Christmas with a credit card only to have that bite you in the butt in Jan. and Feb. then having to expect a bailout by tax returns.

That is how we lived.

This year will hopefully be different.

Money will be tight this year, for stores and consumer's.

I still don't expect stores to sell their best stuff for the lowest cost.

Usually the day after Thanksgiving isn't the top of the line stuff they sell really cheap.

I couldn't imagine if a store did that, if they got rid of the cheapest things for the lowest prices.

You might here about everything must go or lowest prices of the year, yet they are still making money on these deals.

How much will people curve their spending?

Would you still go out and get the nicest presents possible?

Could you imagine rather than buying useless things for Christmas, giving it away to a charity?

Listen to this story…

Jesus never expected the nicest things in the world when he would visit people.

Yet he was in the home of Simon the Leper when a woman came up to him with a very expensive bottle of perfume.

She dumped the bottle of perfume on his head.

The disciples had a problem with this, Judas being the man one.

They said, this bottle was worth a year's wages (Could you imagine perfume that expensive?) so why could it be given to the pour?

Judas led this charge, the fact was he was in charge of the money for them and just wanted the money.

Jesus knew better and defends the women stating they will always have the poor but they will not always have me.

He goes on more in Matthew 26:12-13…

"When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

Everyone will remember what this lady did.

She was not wealthy and chances are could have sold what she had (It was worth a year's salary) for herself, but instead she dumps it on Jesus.

She gave up so much through this act.

Do we sacrifice for what we believe in?

Whether it's with our time or with our wallets do we give like we are supposed to?

This woman would be remembered for ages because of this one act of kindness.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Do you think you will be remembered for what presents at Christmas you will give away?

Or is there something more you want to be remembered for?

Have a great day.