A Christmas reflection on generosity,trust, and love that gives freely

When we think of giving during theChristmas season, our minds often go to wrapped boxes, thoughtful surprises, orchecking off wish lists. And while those can be meaningful expressions of love,they’re only a shadow of what true giving looks like. To fully understand theheart behind generosity, we have to look at the One who gave first.

The story of Jesus begins not in apalace, but in a manger. God chose to give the most valuable gift, His Son, inthe most humble and sacrificial way. He sent Jesus into a world that wouldmisunderstand Him, reject Him, and ultimately crucify Him. And He did it notout of obligation, but out of deep, enduring love. John 3:16 says, “For God soloved the world that He gave…” Generosity was born out of love, not pressure.Out of grace, not guilt.

That same love still invites us to givetoday, but not in the way the world often defines it. The world measures givingby how much it costs or how impressive it looks. Jesus measures it by theheart. When the poor widow in Mark 12 offered two small coins at the temple,Jesus praised her, not because of the amount, but because she gave all she hadin trust. Her gift was an act of faith, not performance. She gave from herlack, believing that God would still provide.

This is the kind of giving Jesus invitesus into, not giving to be seen, but giving to serve. Not giving to impress, butgiving to reflect the love of God to those around us. And it doesn’t alwayslook grand. Sometimes generosity means showing up with time, not money. Sometimesit means forgiving a debt, sharing a meal, or simply offering presence insomeone’s hardest season.

Jesus didn’t just give His life on thecross. He gave every day He walked the earth. He gave time to the overlooked,healing to the sick, compassion to the outcast, and wisdom to the searching.His life was a continual outpouring of love that didn’t seek return. That’s thekind of generosity we’re called to practice. One that doesn’t ask, “What do Iget out of this?” but instead asks, “How can I reflect Christ in this moment?”

This doesn’t mean we give beyond ourmeans or ignore our responsibilities. Even Jesus set boundaries. He withdrew topray. He allowed others to serve Him. He modeled a life of rhythm and trust.That’s what faithful generosity looks like—giving led by love and guided bywisdom.

At StewardWise, we believe financialgiving is a reflection of spiritual health, not a test of worth. It’s not aboutpressure. It’s about partnership with what God is already doing. Whether you’regiving to your church, blessing someone in need, or setting aside funds forfuture generosity, know that your giving matters. Not because of the amount,but because of the heart behind it.

This Christmas, may your generosity beshaped by the story of Jesus. May you give with joy, serve with love, and restin the peace that comes from knowing God gave first. We pray every act ofgiving, large or small, remind you that you are part of something eternal.

Merry Christmas from all of us atStewardWise. May your season be filled with peace, purpose, and the joy of aSavior who gave everything.

‍