The Cost of Christmas

How much will Christmas cost you this year? $200, $400, $800, maybe even $1,000. Let's think of it another way, how many days will you have to work to pay off what you spent on Christmas? I think this exercise often puts things in perspective. We'll assume you work 8 hours a day, and social security, state taxes, and federal taxes apply.

If you make $8.00 an hour and spend $200 on Christmas, it will take you approximately 5.5 days to make it back. $400 would take 11 days. $800 would take 22.5 days. To pay off $1,000 you'd have to work more than a month at 28 days. But, what if you make more than $8 an hour. Ok, lets look at a couple more examples.

If you make $12.00 an hour it would take you 3.5 days to make back $200. $400 would take 7.5 days, and $1000 would take you 19 days, almost a month. If you make $16.00 an hour, that $400 would take you 5.5 days, the $800 would take 11 days, and the $1,000 would take you 14 days to pay off.

So, before you blow the budget on Christmas, consider how much it's really costing you. Is that overtime you'll be having to work worth it. What about that interest on the loan you took out? Could you get by with spending less? Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but you don't want to still be paying for it when Valentine's day rolls around.

The Ministry of Giving

2nd Corinthians 9:6-14 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,

“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.

I want to encourage everyone to give this holiday season. Let me correct that. I want to encourage everyone to give this holiday season to those in need. With the economy still sputtering along, and unemployment still close to 10%, many people will be struggling to put food on the table in December. And gifts for their children may be another impossibility.

When I was child, we always had a big Christmas. I got more on Christmas than I ever needed to. We never had to worry about there being food on the table. We had to worry about what to do with the leftovers. I was blessed.

It would be easy for me to carry that attitude over into adulthood, but becoming a Christian changed all that. I'm already blessed, now I want to become a blessing. This means making my normal shopping list a little shorter, to make place for those who really need it. I want to encourage you to do the same.

There are people around you that are struggling. You probably already know who they are, if you don't, ask around. There are kids who need coats and shoes, and maybe even a toy or two. But without your help, they may not get it. Let's put our wants aside, so we can meet the needs of others. If we do, God will bless it.