Matthew Botelho

“We then who are stronger ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.” –Romans 15:1-2.

Greetings, SonsoftheSea family! I am humbled and thankful to be back with you and sharing this teaching our Lord Jesus has placed in my heart. As I read today’s scripture, it reminded me of the season we are in, the Christmas season. People who look at this season through worldly eyes see a holiday full of presents, decorations, and traditions. But for the believer, it is a time for us to celebrate the greatest Gift anyone could ever have given us, salvation in our Lord Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” –John 3:16-17.

I am “whosoever.” I will continue to be so until that glorious day when Jesus splits the sky and takes us home. Remember, my dear brothers and sisters, the Lord Himself reminds those who will not perish but have eternal life are the “whosoever believes.” To believe, we need to know the One—have a relationship with Jesus, sent to us by Almighty God. God gave us the greatest Gift, His only Son, Jesus.

My friends, we have entered the season of giving, but giving doesn’t always have to be done with our wallets.

I can think of other ways we can give of ourselves this season:

With time

With talents

And yes, with money

I placed money last because, in my opinion, cash is the most straightforward, common gift people give each other. It’s a tried-and-true go-to when it comes to giving. However, our time and talents are far more valuable than money.

Time is a precious gift, and how we spend it truly counts in the Kingdom of our God. Jesus points to the valuable use of time in the Gospel of John. “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is not with him.” –John 11:9-10. Jesus is talking with His disciples about the time He has remaining on earth and about making precious use of the time afforded us.

If you know someone who needs your time, help with a project maybe, or to talk and pray, give them that time without hesitation. Start by first sharing time with your family.

Our kids need our time. As does that aunt or grandparent who has no one to talk to, that sister or brother who is having a rough time. Take the time out of your day and give it to the one in need.

As for your talents, given to you by Almighty God, use them in a way that honors the Giver.

They weren’t given to you to bless you alone but to bless the Kingdom of God and all those you meet. “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” –1 Peter 4:9-10.

I have heard people say, ” I don’t have any talents.” My answer is this: that dear friend is a lie from the pit of hell! You absolutely have talents. The truth is, maybe you don’t recognize them—ask God to reveal them to you. Do you like to talk with people? How about playing an instrument? Do you enjoy reading or writing? The list goes on and on. We have many untapped talents just waiting to be put to use to reach people—help others. But sometimes, we have to get out of our comfort zones to use them effectively. Remember the words of Solomon, “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” –Proverbs 18:16.

Lastly, let’s look at how we use the finances God has blessed us with.

We understand money is a much-needed tool in this world—a resource. A seed that will multiply when it’s planted in good soil. All wealth belongs to God, so what we do with it matters. Let the attitude of our heart be then, “I have money, but money doesn’t have me.” If God places it on your heart to pay for the person’s groceries while standing in line, do it. Do it if God tells you to pay a person’s gas or electric bill. The Apostle Paul writes the Corinthian church saying this about our resources, “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Giving your time, talents, and money is connected to your heart, dear friend.

Giving out of love for Jesus, not to be seen by men, is giving from a heart of Christ-like love. I have watched YouTube videos of people “helping” homeless people or “helping” random people in the streets, and it makes me sad. Why? Because their giving appears boastful. These people might think they are doing something good, but I question their motives personally. Did they do it to get new subscribers? If so, that’s selfish, not selfless. Jesus speaks about this type of giving in Matthew’s Gospel: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” –Matthew 6:1-2.

My friends, be genuine in your giving. Giving our time, talents, and, yes, even money can be so powerful. I have seen people come to the Lord when these gifts were shared with others from a pure heart. Giving freely also opens doors for us to share the Gospel. In the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul says this when talking to the people in Ephesus, “I have shown you in everyway, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” –Acts 20:35.

Paul says he has given his life and labor to the cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was not only preaching about Jesus, but he also showed the Ephesians how to walk as Jesus walked and love as Jesus did. In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes this Truth plain, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.” –John 15:13-14. Though it may not be easy, even inconvenient at times, we are called to forget about ourselves and help our neighbor or just help out where we see the need. That is the point Jesus makes in John 15:13.

In the end, if we are faithful, we shall see the reward of our labor in heaven and hear those Words we all long to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter in!”

We at Sonsofthesea are praying for you. To the one reading this, know that Jesus loves you. If you desire to encounter Jesus this season, I invite you to come to Him in full repentance of your sins, asking Him to be the Lord and Savior of your life. He is knocking. Will you open the door of your heart to Him? “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” –Revelation 3:20.

Amen.