“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2 ESV).
Now, before you panic and stop reading. We’re not trying to throw a “Grinch” in your Christmas. Neither are we trying to steal your Christmas joy. In fact, we hope to convince you that by spending less this Christmas you and your family can actually enjoy more margin in your life. More margin for time together, more resources to share with others, and a more and greater sense of satisfaction too!
We’re spending less at my house again this year. I’ve asked our family to limit themselves to $10 gifts and to try and make them, rather than buy them, if possible. Robin, has been busy making homemade gifts for a couple of months now. We’ve followed this practice for the past few years and it has made a huge difference. It has caused us, our kids and our grandkids to focus more on the story of Jesus and it has freed up more time and resources so that we have more to give to others.
We’re also challenging our church family to spend less again this year too. Many of them don’t need any convincing. They have already learned the joy of spending less on themselves in order to give more to others.
When we spend money and go into debt buying things we can’t afford, we turn Christmas into a very unhappy and ultimately, dissatisfying season. After all the labor at shopping and spending, we often find ourselves feeling exhausted, empty and overwhelmed, especially when the credit card bills arrive.
We’re spending less, not because we’re stingy, but because we want to spend more on:
- Reflecting on the Christmas story
- Slowing down to ponder and worship
- Enjoying fellowship with friends and family
- Giving to those in need in our community
- Sharing God’s story with the nations through our Advent Conspiracy offering
Someone has defined worship as “pulling our affections off our idols and putting them on God.” If we’re going to have more time to worship the Babe of Bethlehem, then we’ve got to stop spending so much time waiting in line at the Walmart.
“Why spend money and labor on that which does not satisfy?” The Lord asked the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.
I think He still poses the same question to us today.