Hi, and thanks for joining me today on a 'Walk of Faith'!

I've been reminded recently of the generous hearts of you, our people. It's been really exciting to see how you have continued to reach out in a time where it's really easy to pull back and hunker down in difficult days. I wanted you to hear some encouraging words from scripture that remind us that the gifts that we have been given by God are not meant to be hoarded or stored away, but are to be shared and used to benefit all. 

So hear these words of encouragement from 2 Corinthians chapter 9, verses 6-9:

"Remember this: the one who plants few seeds will have a small harvest, but the one who plants a lot will have a big harvest. Each one of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give. You should not give if it makes you feel unhappy or if you feel forced to give. God loves those who are happy to give and God can give you more blessings than you need and you will always have plenty of everything. You will have enough to give to every good work. As the scriptures say, 'He gives generously to the poor, His goodness will continue forever.'"

Now, we tend to take that passage and apply it particularly to the giving of money. But I would submit to you that there's a bigger picture involved, and that is the giving of all the gifts that God has given us in order that we might share them not only within the body of Christ, but then that the body of Christ may share them with the world at large.

And so, I applaud your generous hearts that have reached out, and continue to reach out, to those in need around us and to liberally share the great gifts that God has placed within you for the benefit of all. 

So in this holiday season, maintain that gift of giving and share your life in whatever creative ways you can with your neighbors and the world around us. Amen.

~ Pastor Kerry