
There is nothing small in the service of God.
From Proverbs 11:25: “A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water.”

There is nothing small in the service of God.
From Proverbs 11:25: “A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water.”

Wait for that wisest of all counselors, Time.
What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.
Pericles was a Greek politician and general during the Golden Age of Athens. He has sometimes been referred to as “the first citizen of Athens.”

The rich man is not one who is possession of much, but one who gives much.
From Mark 21:41-44: “He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then He called His disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'”
John Chrysostom served the early Christian church during the late 4th century and early 5th century in Constantinople where he preached and was a prolific writer.

Nestling with Christmas warmth
Dreaming of winter’s snow
Gliding down peaceful slopes
Beside lofty chateau
Sleeping with cherished peace
Hearing each silver bell
Waiting expectations
Mystery’s carousel
Ringing red kettle’s bell
Giving from grateful heart
Letting go of some cash
Someone’s life will restart
Quickening steps now stop
Finding one final gift
Sharing love with others
Purchase completes this shift
Gazing into night’s sky
Drifting, tiny snowflake
Inviting even more
Ground swells from snowy quake
Blessing midnight’s entrance
Painting whitest landscape
Witnessing lighted tree
Christmas dreams taking shape

The Christmas season can mean different things to many people, but residing in its heart just might be these words as written by American Congressman William Carey Jones (1855-1927): “The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other’s burdens, easing others’ loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.”
From Matthew 25:21: “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

World full of needs
Each worthy cause
Hearing God’s voice
Presence gives pause
Spirit’s actions
Heart fills with grace
Seeking to serve
God’s chosen place
His guiding hand
Light walks ahead
Trusting in faith
God’s daily bread
Each open door
God always near
Growing in love
Never to fear
Needs overflow
Faith’s timely seeds
Planting each one
Watchful God feeds

From 1 Peter 4:10: “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”

How do you spell love? When we reach the point where the happiness, security, and development of another person is as much of a driving force to you as your own happiness, security, and development, then you have mature love. True love is spelled G-I-V-E.
From 1 John 4:7-12: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.”
Josh McDowell (born 1939) is an American Christian evangelist and co-author of over 150 books.

You were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it.
From 1 Peter 1:13: “Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when He is revealed.”

The world says that the more you take, the more you have. Christ says, the more you give, the more you are.
From Matthew 23:11-12: “The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Frederick Buechner (1926-2022) was an American pastor, Christian theologian, and author. His writings were published in 39 books, which included several different genres.

Do anything that might make the world a better place.
We are stronger together than we are alone.
Walter Payton (1953-1999) was an American professional football player. During his Hall of Fame career of 13 seasons, he played running back for the Chicago Bears. The annual National Football League’s Man of the Year award bears his name, due largely to his legacy of giving back to humanity.

Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others.
There are two types of people in this world, the Givers and the Takers. The Takers sometimes eat better, but the Givers always sleep better.
Danny Thomas (1912-1991) was an American actor, comedian, singer, and philanthropist.