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Early Christmas shoppers (before Thanksgiving) spend 14% more than other shoppers.

Explore the influence of faith on our spending choices during the holiday season, particularly on Christmas gifts, and examine the importance of giving to God. Discover ways to align our spending habits with our beliefs and teach our children about the true value of material possessions.

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Early Christmas shoppers (before Thanksgiving) spend 14% more than other shoppers.

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  1. What impact should our faith have on our spending (i.e., Christmas gifts) and our giving (i.e., to God)?

  2. SPENDING (on gifts) • Early Christmas shoppers (before Thanksgiving) spend 14% more than other shoppers. • Most requested gifts (2012): • gift cards • clothing • books, CD’s, DVD’s, video games • electronics • jewelry • home décor • sporting goods

  3. SPENDING (on gifts) • 2014 self-reported estimate of family Christmas spending: $800 • $600 (75%) on gifts • $475 on family • $75 on friends • $25 on co-workers • $25 other • $150 (19%) on food • $50 (6%) on decorations

  4. SPENDING (on gifts) The dilemma of gift-giving to children and grandchildren: We like to give gifts: “I love seeing my kid’s face light up when he opens a gift.” BUT….. We’re raising a generation of spoiled kids: “My kids gets SO MANY gifts and they are SO ungrateful and don’t see how good they have it.”

  5. SPENDING (on gifts) • Spending money on gifts: • It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35) • God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17). • Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil – this is a gift of God (Ecclesiastes 5:19)

  6. SPENDING (on gifts) • BUT, receiving gifts can move our trust from God to things: • Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. (Luke 12:15). • For the love of money (things) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money (things), have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10)

  7. SPENDING (on gifts) Gift-giving that helps protect our children’s faith Talk with your children about how wealthy and blessed you are. Match the gifts you give to each other with gifts you give to people who are really in need. Reduce your gift-giving. Be creativein your gift-giving.

  8. SPENDING (on gifts) The Abundance Swap Join with other families and swap toys/gifts/unused stuff. Three Kings Gold: something they value Frankincense: something that points them toward God Myrrh: something for their body J.O.Y. Something from Jesus Something from ourselves (parents) Something you (the child) want

  9. SPENDING (on gifts) At a minimum, our faith should impact how we give and what we try and teach our children about “things.” For many of us, our faith should also impact how much we give our children.

  10. GIVING (to God) What impact should our faith have on our spending (i.e., Christmas gifts) and our giving (i.e., to God)?

  11. GIVING (to God) 17 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. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 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

  12. GIVING (to God) Generosity is not measured by the AMOUNT of money or time you give. Generosity is measured by the SACRIFICE it takes to give that amount of time or money.

  13. GIVING (to God) The Ten top givers in 2014 (USA) Bill Gates $1.5 billion Ralph Wilson $1 billion Ted Stanley $652 million Jan Koum (age 39) $556 million Sean Parker (age 35) $550 million Nicholas/Jill Woodman (age 40) $500 million Michael Bloomberg $462 million Rachel Mellon $411 million Sergey Brin(age 42) $383 million Paul Allen $298 million

  14. GIVING (to God) 17 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. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 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

  15. GIVING (to God) Live Give Go graphic (front page)

  16. What impact should our faith have on our spending (i.e., Christmas gifts) and our giving (i.e., to God)?

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