The Big Toy Box

2 Corinthians 8:9 ~ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

November and December were always the best months of the year for me growing up. November meant my birthday was here, along with plenty of presents. It was the one time of the year when it was great to be an only child—I didn’t have to share my toys with anyone else. Eventually all of my toys filled a huge wooden toy box that I could barely shut and latch. Even if some cousins came to visit and I had to let them play with my stuff, they eventually left, and the presents were mine—all mine.

I’m not sure exactly when it dawned on me that it was better to give than receive, or that Christmas wasn’t about me making a list and getting everything I asked for. Maybe it started when I was old enough to buy my parents presents that I picked out myself; I loved seeing them happy at getting something from me. I also enjoyed picking out presents for friends and relatives using my allowance or other money I earned from various old jobs. Giving made me happy, and I could see it made others happy, too.

We hear the story every year about God’s great gift to the world at Christmas. When I read that Jesus, “though he was rich . . . became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9), I imagine Him leaving His heavenly “toy box,” filled with things He did not have to share, and giving Himself as the only present we really need. It’s an act of love and giving that, especially at this time of year, I try to imitate, but cannot duplicate. As Paul said, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15).

Praying for the "Least of These"

Whether God has you focus in on our world, our nation, or our community—list the names of and pray for those who are physically, mentally, and spiritually afflicted. Pray that the Lord will use believers, including you and your family, to help meet the needs of “the least of these,” who are hungry, thirsty, in need of clothes or shelter, sick, or in prison (see Matthew 25:31-46). Pray for those organizations or churches you are aware of that are trying to meet the needs of those in need.

Also, pray for those you personally know that are in need of finding a personal love relationship with the Lord—they are the most helpless, hopeless, and hurting of anyone you know, because they don’t know the Creator and Provider of all.

Remember the greatest privilege of prayer is enjoying loving conversation and communion with God. We are to pray frequently (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and openly (Revelation 3:20), and with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).