Shopping and Giving
The average U.S. household is projected to spend $684 for Christmas gifts this year, according to a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers (fmchr.ch/pwcchristmas). That’s $51 less than the household average for Christmas gifts last year, but it adds up to a lot of money for gifts that may quickly be relegated to closets or basements. Christmas promotions began in September or October for 53 percent of retailers (fmchr.ch/HayGroupstudy).
The Christmas season is a good time to consider how we’re spending our money, time and resources throughout the year. Are we giving gifts that matter?
For this issue, the Light & Life team requested articles from representatives of the Free Methodist Foundation (fmfoundation.org). They generously waived their author payments while offering their expertise about effective stewardship. Don’t expect boring articles on financial philosophy. Starting on the next page, you’ll find a touching story that uses fiction to convey the truth of God’s life-changing gift to us via a Bethlehem stable.
By the way, if you’re still doing your Christmas shopping, I hope you read our November issue highlighting the Christmas catalog produced by International Child Care Ministries and SEED. The catalog offers high-impact gifts that benefit Christians around the world. Go to BetterGivingGlobalHope.org to shop, give and get more information.
Jeff Finley, Managing Editor
Downloadable PDF: LLM December 2014
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Features
- Table of Contents
- [Feature]: The Shepherd’s Gift
- [Foundation]: Happy Investing
- [Bishops]: Why the Giving Cannot Stop
- [History]: Giving Wisely
- [Action]: Feeding and Serving the Community
- [Free Methodist Church News and Briefs]: Free Methodists to Offer Legal Services for Immigrants
- [World]: Free Methodists in the Holy Land
- [Discipleship]: Give Your Heart
