A giver is a person who gives generously to the poor and needy in obedience to the word of God. A giver makes it a point of duty to pay his or her first fruits and tithes, gives offerings and also makes other necessary financial contributions to his or her local church. Meanwhile, ‘Father Christmas’ is a term used in some parlance to describe an extravagant spender: one who unnecessarily spends a lot of money that he or she cannot afford. A Father Christmas is often typified by exaggerated, excessive or immoderate behaviour and wastefulness which may result in personal harm. Blessings are like talents entrusted to our care by God. He has called us to be givers and wise stewards of His investments in us. God frowns at any form of wasteful or extravagant behaviour in His children. The word of God guides our attention towards the right kind of open-handedness and generosity of spirit, which reflects love and worship towards God by showing concern for the poor and the less privileged in our society (Proverbs 19:17). I pray that God will bless you so much that you will become a source of blessing to your generation in Jesus’ Name.

The Bible provides us with some examples of sinful extravagance or wastefulness. A good example is found in our Bible text, where the prodigal son gathered all his inheritance together and left for a far country where he wasted all he had through extravagant spending. In Philippians 3:19, the Holy Spirit admonishes us that those who mind earthly things, whose god is their belly, will end up in destruction. Proverbs 6:26 further tells us that those who lavish their hard-earned money on strange women and cheap girls will eventually become diminished to the value of a piece of bread. Extravagant or wasteful spending usually leads to poverty. This is what happened to the prodigal son. After he had squandered all his inheritance, he had to take up enjoyment in the worst kind of job in order to survive. I pray that you will never commit any error that will turn your life upside down again in the Name of Jesus.

Extravagant and wasteful spending is no substitute for doing what God requires of you (1st Samuel 15:22, Micah 6:7-. Without any doubt, God is more interested in Christians who are determined to do their best to meet His requirement of holiness and righteous living. The extravagant spending of an unrepentant sinner in the house of God is at best viewed as an attempt to bribe God, and this is abomination to Him (Proverbs 21:27).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboe.