Christmas is a season of giving. It began when God gave His one and only son to live among us on this earth (Matthew 1:18-23). Since then, December 25th has become a tradition of giving, specifically focused on giving to friends and family.

Last Christmas, my grandparents began a new tradition; during our Christmas gathering, they had saved $500 for our family to give away as a gift to a stranger or to a charity of our choice. The only regulation they had set was to seek God’s counsel on who we should financially bless.

After requesting God’s wisdom and discernment, we found ourselves encountering a divine appointment at the hospital. As we walked into the emergency care waiting room, we were introduced to a crippled man. I approached this individual with care asking if I could assist him with anything. He requested that I bring him a cup of coffee. Gratefully, I did and upon my return not only had I given him a hot cup of coffee, but also a check for $500. Simultaneously, while handing him those two things my family and I began to explain our intentions to blessing him; at that moment, we shared the gospel, elaborating on the true purpose of Christmas. At the conclusion of our conversation, we were able to pray with this individual.

A year has passed since that moment, and although this particular man’s name and face may have faded from my memory, I will never forget the joy I experienced as we handed him $500 to pay for a percentage of his medical bill(s). As Christmas is once again approaching, I pray that we, as human beings, may not become so distracted by giving gifts to our inner circle that we forget the opportunity God has given us to bless strangers too.

Therefore, I challenge each and every individual that if God has blessed you financially, extend that blessing to someone in need. A small financial gift, even as simple as buying someone’s meal behind you at McDonald’s, could leave an eternal impact on their life. And as you seek wisdom on what to give and who to give it to, be reminded of God’s heart of giving through the verses below:

• “Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring”. –Isaiah 58:10-11

• “And the crowds asked [John the Baptist], ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise”. –Luke 3:10-11

• “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed”. –Proverbs 19:17

• “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” –Mark 12:41-44