3. The Christmas Conundrum
By Jen Hatmaker

4. The Christmas Conundrum
How do we deal with this Christmas cloud of consumerism?
The Christmas Conundrum
By Jen Hatmaker

5. The Christmas Conundrum
We remember what Jesus said and how He followed His own advice.
The Christmas Conundrum
By Jen Hatmaker

6. Remember the Words of Jesus
Acts 20:  In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

7. Remember the Words of Jesus
Acts 20:  In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
BIG IDEA: It is more blessed to give than to receive because then you get to give AND receive…

8. Blessing = Happiness
“All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. They will never take the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.”
– Blaise Pascal, French writer and philosopher

9. Blessing = Happiness Psalm 127:3-5a 3 Behold, children are a
“All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. They will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.”
– Blaise Pascal, French writer and philosopher
Psalm 127:3-5a
3 Behold, children are a
heritage from the Lord,     the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior     are the children of one's youth. 5a Blessed is the man     who fills his quiver with them!

10. Deaver Deals

11. Breaking Bad Habits by Starting Good Habits
Colossians 3:5-10 Put to death therefore… Colossians 3:12-17 Put on then…

12. Breaking Bad Habits by Starting Good Habits
Colossians 3:5-10 Put to death therefore… Colossians 3:12-17 Put on then…
Matthew 12: When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first…

13. Remember what Jesus said.
Mark 20:31a 31a The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Philippians 2:4 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 4:  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

14. Remember what Jesus said.
Mark 20:31a 31a The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Philippians 2:4 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 4:  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
It IS a blessing to receive.

15. Remember what Jesus said.
Mark 20:31a 31a The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Philippians 2:4 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 4:  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
It is MORE of a blessing to give.

16. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving

17. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving
“There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, the mind and the purse. Of these three, it may well be that we moderns find the conversion of the purse the most difficult.”
- Martin Luther

18. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving
10. Give Generously

19. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving
9. Give Regularly 10. Give Generously

20. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving
8. Give Deliberately 9. Give Regularly 10. Give Generously

21. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving
7. Give Cheerfully 8. Give Deliberately 9. Give Regularly 10. Give Generously

22. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving
6. Give Sacrificially 7. Give Cheerfully 8. Give Deliberately 9. Give Regularly 10. Give Generously

23. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving
5. Give Worshipfully

24. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving
4. Give Quietly 5. Give Worshipfully

25. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving
3. Give Creatively 4. Give Quietly 5. Give Worshipfully

26. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving
2. Give Collaboratively 3. Give Creatively 4. Give Quietly 5. Give Worshipfully

27. The Top Ten Guidelines for Giving
1. Give Proportionately 2. Give Collaboratively 3. Give Creatively 4. Give Quietly 5. Give Worshipfully

29. This is NOT Prosperity Gospel!

30. Where do you find the power to live this out?

31. Jesus followed His own advice.
Hebrews 12: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

32. Questions to Ask Jesus:
What Christmas gift-giving traditions do I need to adjust next Christmas to not obscure the celebration of the Your birth?
What’s an intentional gift I can give to someone to cultivate their relationship with You?
Is the fact that You’ve entrusted me with so many resources an indication that you have given me the gift of giving and want me to learn to exercise it more frequently and skillfully?
What am I holding on to that is robbing me of present joy and future reward?
Do You want me to set a basic level of income and assets to live on, then give away whatever you provide beyond that (regardless of whether that’s 50%, 90%, or more)?

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