“Giving is one way we get in on God’s miracles.”

A thought by Mark Batterson (2013-09-24) in his book, All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life (Kindle Locations 2105-2106). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

And the whole Christmas celebration is about a miracle. It is the miracle of God coming to earth as a baby. That is an unbelievable miracle and giving is one way we get in on it.

If you have read the story of the Nativity you know about the Magi, the Three Kings from the East who brought gifts for the baby Jesus. Mark says, “At first glance, it seems like the Magi bring the wrong gifts to this baby shower, doesn’t it? What kid wants a bottle of frankincense, right? Get the poor kid an ancient Jewish action figure — David with slingshot or Shamgar with oxgoad.”

Now when the Wise Men came searching for the child they went to King Herod and asked where the young ruler was to be born. The fact that there was this young ruler out there who could take his place so distressed Herod that he eventually went so far to kill all of the boys two years and younger but an Angel then told Joseph in a dream that some bad was going to happen and he needed to go to Egypt for a while.

Now back to the gifts. Mark says, “Gold, frankincense, and myrrh seem like misguided gifts, but stop and think about it. How does a minimum -wage carpenter who just paid a huge tax bill fund a trip to a foreign country? These gifts were just what Mary and Joseph needed. They were their golden ticket to Egypt. And it’s the only way they could have escaped the genocide that ensued. Those gifts saved their lives! Now let me connect the dots. The Magi’s gifts were Mary and Joseph’s miracle!”

God wants to use us in making a difference in other people’s life and He does that though our giving. Take some time in picking that Christmas gift. “Giving is one way we get in on God’s miracles.” It could really make a difference in their life.

So what is it and who is it for?

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