Strong Desire For Money

One of my favorite Christmas stories to be presented as a movie is Charles Dickens' "Christmas Carol".  This story presents a good testimony regarding the dryness, greed, and bitterness that the strong desire for money may progressively develop within the depth of a person's heart and soul.  Yet, in the midst of all the corruption that is had been created, within the character of Ebeneezer Scrooge, an opportunity for liberation and change is presented to him.

Through out the story, Mr. Scrooge spends a challenging night of being presented with a reflection of his lifespan and that of some people whose lives have been affected by his manner of conducting his own life.  Through each step, his heart is soften a little more than in the previous one.  As time approaches to that of Christmas morning, Mr. Scrooge has undergone a radical transformation.  On Christmas morning, we find a man whose heart has been transformed into one of a man who is willing to live out a new life and make a mends of the errors he had made in the past.  He is a man whose heart has found joy in life and desires to share it, ... even his money!  

As I reflect over this story, I think about people today.  There seems to be an up-rise of commercialism and the ideal that money brings happiness to the hearts of mankind.  They strive to posses expensive houses, cars, and clothing ... they even dine at expensive restaurants.  Yet when all is said and done, what is the condition of their heart?  Is is at peace or simply justifying itself for self-centered gratification. For many of these people, their heart will be empty and always wanting more, yet never finding themselves to be completely satisfied with all that they hold for their own.  

Hence, today I offer you the gift of all gifts, salvation from the bondage of sin.  Yet this gift may only be received if you accept Jesus in your heart as your Savior and Lord.  You see, the whole idea behind Christmas began around the commemoration of His coming to Earth to liberate the people of Israel from oppression of the government.  However, in God's plan, Jesus was going to accomplish more.  He was not only going to liberate the people of Israel, but also others from the bondage of sin. 

People across the world have come to learn about Jesus since before His birth.  Many prophets spoke of Him years and years before His arrival on Earth.  So as the narrative goes, He was well received by His parents, and shepherds who went to see him as a baby.  As a young child, he was also visited by wise-men from the far east.  In fact, they brought Him gifts (e.g. gold, frankincense, and myrrh).  At the temple where Jesus was dedicated to God, He was well received by an elderly man who desired to live until he had seen the Savior of Israel!  There was also a women, a prophetess who was present at this time to witness this encounter as well.  

God has done much to orchestrate the coming of Jesus and protecting Him from harm until the time arrived for Him to accomplish His mission:  Die for the the sins of all mankind so that anyone who believed in Him would be free from the bondage of sin.  All a person has to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for their sins.  Then, when they have accepted Jesus into their heart, He will become their Lord and Savior.

Let us pray:  Jesus, thank you for all that You have done to come into this world to be my Savior from the bondage of sin.  Right now, with all of my heart, I ask you to forgive me of my sins.  I believe You are the Son of God and I accept You as my Savior and Lord.  Thank You Jesus for coming into my heart today.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.