Leading Timber Ridge: Some Christmas Stats

You may already be aware of these Christmas statistics, but I thought they were interesting enough to share. Did you know:

Last year, between November 1 and Christmas, Americans spent more than $35 billion just online buying Christmas presents.
18% of Christmas purchases were gift cards. Basically, that's our way of saying, "I have no idea what to get you. You figure it out."
10% of Christmas presents were returned. Basically, that's our way of saying, "You should have bought me a gift card."

The bottom line is this: As Americans, we spend A LOT of money on Christmas presents. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Giving gifts is a good thing. Receiving gifts is a good thing. But most of the gifts we buy are short term. Stuff gets dirty. Stuff gets broken. We outgrow stuff.

But Jesus made this crazy statement in Matthew 6:19-21: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Basically, Jesus was saying that there IS something we can do with our money that has eternal value and makes a lasting difference.

That's why, at Timber Ridge Church, we do the My Best Gift Christmas Offering. This Sunday, December 15th, we'll receive a special offering. We're trying to raise $15,000 to start new churches in 2014 around Texas and to build a kitchen for the rural elementary school we've adopted in Sapa, Vietnam.

If you attend Timber Ridge, let's be honest. You're probably going to buy a gift card for someone you don't even like. Or you've already bought a sweater that someone will never wear. Why not participate in an offering that can have an eternal and lasting impact?

If you are a Timber Ridger, I encourage you to PRAY, PLAN, and PARTICIPATE in the My Best Gift offering this Sunday at Timber Ridge. Let's make our money matter this Christmas. Together, we can literally change the world.

(If you won't be in attendance on Sunday, but would like to contribute, you can click here to do so safely and securely online.)