“The Big Payoff”There appears to be a trend that has captured the imagination of the country this Christmas season, and for once, it is NOT a disturbing trend. Usually this time of year, when we hear of a trend, we are usually talking about a “must-have” product that is impossible to keep on store shelves. But this year seems to be quite different. Let’s face it, we have hit tough economic times, and great displays of generosity are fewer and farther between this year; or at least I had thought so, until I read a story coming out of Omaha, Nebraska. At a Kmart store in Omaha, an anonymous 40 year-old Indianapolis woman decided to pay off the layaway balances of over 50 people, and then after doing so, handed out $50 bills to families, and paid for two cartfuls of toys for a woman in the checkout line with her, valued at over $200. And this act of selfless generosity started a trend. In fact, according to the Associated Press, Kmart stores all over the nation are experiencing this same “Secret Santa” type of anonymous generosity. Anonymous donors are paying off stranger’s layaway accounts, buying the Christmas gifts other families could not afford; especially children’s clothes and toys that had been set aside by many impoverished parents. “It was like an angel fell out of the sky and appeared in our store”, exclaimed Edna Deppe, assistant manager of the Omaha, Nebraska Kmart branch, one of the locations where the trend first started. We all marvel at this sort of altruistic gesture, and smile when we see it inspire others to make similar sacrifices in order to do what they can to help others. It’s true, we are amazed by such generosity, and it makes us feel good to think of such unselfish acts going on all around us, doesn’t it? It gives us hope. But when we see stories of this kind, it should remind us of other sacrifices made for those in more desperate need; the spiritually impoverished. It’s this time of year we most often recall to mind the birth of Christ, and give thanks for the greatest gift ever given; the most unselfish, loving act of kindness ever performed: the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ who came down from God’s right hand to become a sacrifice for all the sins of mankind; came down from the God head to pay off ALL OUR DEBTS, and the debts of all who have come before us, and all who will follow after. “For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
[John 3:16]. God’s generosity extends to ALL
mankind, not just what the This time of year, as the generosity of mankind is oftentimes showcased, let’s all be mindful of a story that defines the word generosity: the story of the birth, life and death of our Savior Jesus Christ, and be thankful that His gift isn’t one that will be forgotten and useless next year, but endures forever, and is available to all, not based on status, power, wealth, merit, or achievement. Let’s be thankful that God has paid our debt of sin by sending His son, and all we need to do to become beneficiaries of that big payoff is to seek and obey him. Merry Christmas. — Paul Seely, December 25, 2011 |