“They were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2.10-11 nrsv).

Once upon a time, a mother asked her son to go to the flower shop to buy her some flowers and then to bring them home.  With much complaining, the child set off to the shop to reluctantly do this chore.  He purchased the flowers, then he quickly walked home—avoiding all the places his friends might see him.  He was embarrassed.  What would his friends think?  He just knew that they would make fun of him carrying around flowers.

In contrast, when that child became a young man and with a new girlfriend, with joy he made his way to the same flower shop.  With anticipation he purchased a bouquet of flowers.  He proudly carried those flowers through the streets.  When his friends stopped him, he happily told the story of the flowers and for whom they would be a gift.

That story is a parable.  It gets to the heart of our joyful love for God and God’s way in this world.  The child immaturely saw his giving as a duty, a task, a chore.  It was something he should do—he had to do it or he would be punished.  Sometimes we view our giving to God and the church in that way. 

A much more mature faith is reflected by the young adult who is in love.  He gives with joy, out of the fullness of his heart.  He gives because he is filled with love.  He wants the best for his beloved.  That is what mature and faithful giving to God looks like.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12.34 nrsv).

Peace to you,

Pastor Marty