Christmas - That We Might Have LifeНамуна

DAY 5, DEVOTION 5

Christmas and the Hidden Power of a Life Well Lived!

“You call this a happy family! Why do we have to have all of these kids?” George Bailey exclaims to his wife while experiencing financial despair in the classic Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life. George’s presumption: Children are a (financial) burden.

You know the story. George soon learns that life is not about acquiring what the world has to offer. It’s not about securing the world’s finest education. It’s not about seeing the world or even conquering the world. In the climax of the film on Christmas Eve, George never gets the high-paying job with the fancy clothes and travel opportunities. He never gets to go to college or even leave Bedford Falls.

What George gets is a revelation from God. A revelation about how living and providing for others is inestimably more powerful than living and spending for oneself.

In one scene there is a picture of George’s father hanging on the wall at the Bailey Building and Loan office, the one institution standing between the people of Bedford Falls, and a devious, power-hungry banker named Potter. Under the picture, it reads, “The only thing you can take to heaven is what you give to others.” Perhaps an echo of what Jesus says in Matthew 6:20: “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.”

What Potter did, that “warped, frustrated, old man,” was take advantage of people’s unfortunate circumstances. What the Building and Loan did was provide the people with the freedom to become who they were meant to be.

George’s father was the founder of the Building and Loan and when he died Potter made a motion that the Board of Directors dissolve the company, leaving the population of Bedford Falls at the mercy of Potter’s evil schemes. Seeing the future injustice and abuse, George addressed the Board saying, “This town needs this measly one-horse institution if only to keep people from having to go crawling to Potter.”

There are many "Potters" in our world, the selfish who take advantage of the less fortunate. There are even some, like Potter, who plot or plan to lift themselves up at the expense of others. Some dream of a bright future, while others squelch that hope.

Can we be more like George? Can we sacrifice our comfort for the disadvantaged? It doesn't take much. We will likely never know the extent of our life’s positive impact on others. It may not be obvious to you now. But be assured that if you help even one person today, it will have eternal significance.

Questions for Reflection

Because of your faith in Jesus, have you ever "stood up for the little guy" or made a decision that seemed to go against the norm?

How can you invest in eternal treasures in heaven while you are alive on earth?

What are some tangible ways to combat injustice?

Father God,

Thank you for Jesus. He bridged the gap between a world that wants to defeat us and your plan for an eternal relationship with us. Give us eyes to see injustices in the world and the courage to stand up for them. Help us invest in heavenly treasures today.

Amen.