As the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season picks up speed, it might feel more and more like an endless loop of Carol of the Bells- where you just can’t quite keep up and definitely don’t understand all the words. So, we want to take just a few moments to help remind you (and ourselves) of some ways to not just “enjoy” the holiday season, but to truly honor God with your business finances while being a blessing to others.
While shopping and spending lots of money this time of year certainly gets a bad rap, we want to remember that money is truly just a tool that can be used for good or bad, so let’s continue to use it constructively for good!
5 Ways to Honor God With Your Business Finances During the Holidays
1. Consider Giving to Organizations That Help End the Cycle of Poverty for Families in 3rd World Countries
You know the old saying, “give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime”, We think it’s really fun (and important, but also fun) to support organizations that help families break the cycle of poverty.
Rather than just “feeding for a day”- which is important too, there are initiatives out there that provide the resources to help families “learn to fish”. One such program is through Compassion International.
Compassion is a well-known and well-respected organization that’s been in operation for decades. During the holiday season, one of the things that you can do is to help purchase a farm animal that will help feed a family long-term and provide a source of income. For example, you can buy a milk cow or a small flock of chickens for a family, providing them with stable nutrition and income.
2. Put Together Gift Baskets or Gift Cards for Families That You Know Are Struggling
For a family who is already struggling with hardship- be they financial or otherwise- nothing seems to highlight the hurt more than the “buy all the things” push around Christmas.
Even if you’re not Betty Crocker junior, the convenience of gift cards can go a long way in making sure that families have delicious meals AND feel loved while eating them.
Additionally, if you know of a family that may be struggling to pay their bills, many local utility companies will allow you to pay someone else’s bill anonymously.
But perhaps the BEST way to honor God and bless others is to invite them into your home for a warm meal and connection. Just as overconsumption and constant ads can highlight someone’s material lack, the picture-perfect Hallmark movies can make people feel extra lonely around the holidays. You don’t have to have everything perfect or the fanciest house on the block to host people in your home and make them feel welcome.
3. Work With Your Local Church or Food Bank to Help These Established Organizations Do More
Truly, no one knows the community’s needs better than those living in it.
Locally based food banks and charities will know the most important needs in the community as well as the resources that will be genuinely helpful.
4. Teach Your Children and Family That Money Isn’t Just About Meeting Their Needs and Wants
Probably not something you thought that you’d hear from your accountant, did you? And yes, typically we try to stick to our “Expertise” of money management and financial planning type advice. But, the fact of the matter is, that if YOU don’t intentionally teach your kids what it means to be generous and WHY it is important to be generous, they will either never learn or learn it much later in life and with a greater cost.
5. Bless Your Employees With an Unexpected Bonus or Gift
The stats are undeniable about the benefit of reducing turnover with your staff. And while reducing turnover IS a big “bonus” so to speak for giving bonuses, the REAL motivation is to share the blessing of God with your people. One of the best ways to represent God well in your business is to be generous- just like God is generous.
Honor God With Your Business Finances This Christmas With These 5 Ideas
Regardless of what your finances looked like this year- maybe it was your best year yet or you struggled for 12 straight months- we truly believe that you CAN do something to be a blessing to your community and your team with your business finances and your resources.
It doesn’t have to be a grand, Instagram-worthy gesture, but it DOES have to come from the heart. A small donation to a trusted non-profit or local food bank, or a Christmas dinner invite extended to a struggling family can truly reflect the heart of God.
James 1:27 NLT – “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
