The Holiday Juggernaut

This week an Amazon toy catalog arrived in our mailbox. That was a first.  It was a sign. A sign that the holiday season has begun.

Early Bird Sales. Veteran Day Sales. Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Free Shipping! Next Day Delivery. 2 Hour Delivery!

Are you ready for the onslaught from the holiday marketing juggernaut coming your way?!

Before you launch into this holiday season, consider these:

1. Spend Only What You Have

Scripture is so clear on avoiding credit. Solomon writes in Proverbs that "the borrower is slave to the lender." What does that mean? Being a slave to anything implies giving up your freedom. When you buy on credit, you become bound by your creditors. Your freedom is compromised.

Come January, you will rest much easier if you don't have a huge credit card bill arriving in the mail.

As you plan to buy Christmas gifts, plan to use disposable income. What is disposable income? It's the money left over after you give, pay your bills, and save. What if I don't have any disposable income? Give presents that you make! Maybe you bake cookies, brownies, cakes, etc. Maybe you make something. Handmade gifts can carry very sentimental connections. Search Pinterest for ideas.

What do you give someone who has everything? NOTHING! Oh. Did I just say that?! Yes, I did. If they have everything, give to someone who has nothing. Need a suggestion? How about sponsoring a child in a third world? Let them know you will sponsor a child in their honor. Here are three reputable organizations that would love your help.

Sonlight Ministries
Compassion International
World Orphans

2. Eat Smartly this Season

I love what Keith Bradford, a Canadian who writes 1000lifehacks.com, said about Americans spending $15 a day eating out, which is about $450 a month, and about $600-$750 including drinks! His response? "You have food at home!" Hilarious. Because it's true.

This is the time of year to eat. We have candy at Halloween. Then the discounted candy after Halloween. Thanksgiving dinner. Christmas goodies including fudge, cookies, and chocolate. Parties are packed with food and drink. Christmas dinner. The list goes on. Does the Bible speak to our obsession with food during the holidays?

Yes, the Bible says the glutton, or one who over-eats, will become poor. If we "eat" all our money, we won't have any left for giving, saving, bills, etc. Paul writes in Philippians chapter 3 about people who are enemies of the cross of Christ (non-believers). He says their god is their stomach. They lack self-control and over-indulge themselves.

Jesus had 12 basketfuls left over after feeding the 5000, but he had the disciples pick up the leftovers. Why? He wasn't planning to throw them out, but had them picked up so that nothing would be wasted. My guess is that the extra food either went to other people or it was eaten later.

Save money and avoid over-eating when you go out.

• Avoid buffets and "all you can eat" offers. They just encourage overindulging. 
• When you do go out, consider splitting a meal with someone. Normally the servings are plenty for two people especially when you may get free bread or chips prior to the meal. Fill up on those and drink a lot of water. It will make you feel full and it's free. 
• Go out for lunch instead of dinner. The prices are lower and the portions are usually smaller. 
• And of course, ask for a box if you don't finish your meal. Eat what you take home the next day for a meal. Add some sides to it and save some money. 

3. Maintain Perspective on Life

The rich young ruler and the rich man who built bigger barns in the Bible were both condemned by Jesus. The rich young ruler failed to give Jesus first place in his life over his possessions. The rich man, while preparing for the future when he would "take life easy, eat, drink, and be merry" (dare I say retirement?!) unexpectedly passed away.

Jesus summed it up quite well when he said in Luke, "a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." It's easy to get all wrapped up in the shopping, eating, and commercialism of the holiday season. Yet those "things" do not define who we are. We are children of the almighty, creator God, redeemed by the precious blood of His son, Jesus Christ. In other words, we are children of the King bought at a tremendous price!

Keep perspective by remembering that none of this activity was commanded by Jesus. He didn't even ask us to remember His birthday (which probably wasn't Dec. 25 by the way). We must be good stewards of what God has given to us. The implication is that we first give off the top of our finances. Whether that be to a church or a charity is up to you, but by doing so we "store up treasures in heaven."

Enjoy and celebrate this time of the year, but do it with self-control and moderation.