Tis the Season . . . | The Institute for Creation Research

 
Tis the Season . . .
 

December is connected with gift-giving—sometimes for the wrong reasons. All of us have felt the pressure to "buy" something for family and/or friends. Our private conversations sometimes bemoan the obligations we feel to "get something" for so-and-so. Churches, mission organizations, humanitarian endeavors, endless charities—all try in one way or another to tweak the subtle pressure of "the season" in their respective favor.

The celebration of our Lord's physical birth into this world is certainly worthy of remembrance. But most of the world only "remembers" that the wise men from the east brought gifts to the baby Jesus—and use that event as justification for the Christmas celebration. But the reverential honor of the wise men is a far cry from the excessive and self-serving practice that now dominates the "Christian" world.

ICR would ask you to remember why and to Whom we give.

Jesus reserved His harshest criticism to "religious" practice that was either hypocritical or misdirected. In the Matthew 23 passage cited above, He pointed out that the gift itself had replaced the reason for the gift—and the motive of the giver. Perhaps it is worth reviewing some basics of discretionary giving.

The gift should be "unto the Lord" (Leviticus 23:38; Colossians 3:23). Sounds simple, but this calls for conscious dedication and a willing heart.

The gift should be for "the glory of" our Lord (I Corinthians 10:31). Again, sounds simple, but requires us to be careful what our gift may be used for in the hands of others.

The gift should do what "the Lord had commanded" (Numbers 36:2). This may be a little more complicated to insure, but our discretionary giving needs to be placed with those whose heart and ministry is clearly driven to implement and honor God's Word.

Please know that ICR will honor your gift as though it came from God's hand.

Cite this article: Henry M. Morris III, D.Min. 2002. Tis the Season . . .. Acts & Facts. 31 (12).

The Latest
NEWS
April 2025 ICR Wallpaper
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things...

NEWS
Human Evolution and the Inner Ear
The vain attempt by evolutionists to make an evolutionary connection between people and ape-like ancestors continues. This time, it is in regard to...

CREATION PODCAST
Defending the Faith with a Rocket Scientist | Creation.Live Podcast:...
How do engineering principles, biological complexity, and a solid understanding of apologetics work together to further the cause of Christ? Why...

NEWS
Aerobic and Anaerobic Hot Spring Bacteria
God designed a domain of prokaryotes called Archaea that thrive in harsh and extreme environments. In 1969, two microbiologists, Thomas Brock and Hudson...

CREATION PODCAST
The Soulless Hominid Theory: A Fatal Flaw in Old Earth Creationism...
Welcome to the second episode in a series called “The Failures of Old Earth Creationism.” Many Christians attempt to fit...

NEWS
Humpback Whale Calls Echo Creation
There is nothing simple about the system of communication called language, whether animal or human.1 Human language is a very sophisticated...

NEWS
Mary Parker, Creation Ministry Partner of Dr. Gary Parker, Is...
Mary Parker, the wife and co-laborer of Dr. Gary Parker, went home to be with her Lord on March 20, 2025. Dr. Parker was a popular and effective...

NEWS
Plants Rely on Quantum Mechanics
Scientists will probably never fully understand photosynthesis as additional research uncovers even more fascinating mysteries.1,2 ICR’s...

NEWS
Martian Polar Ice Cap ''Surprisingly Young''?
A team of German planetary scientists has concluded that a three-kilometer-thick northern polar ice cap on Mars has a “surprisingly young”...

NEWS
''Blood Worm Moon'' Total Lunar Eclipse 2025
Barring cloud cover, about 75% of the country saw the total lunar eclipse, aka the “Blood Worm Moon.” Texas had good weather conditions...