This time of year reminds me of a little boy. We’ll call him “Jimmy”.

Jimmy and his parents, along with his little sister, were out shopping for decorations for their home.

They exited their vehicle and, as they approached the entrance to the store, they heard the bell and saw the brightly colored Salvation Army man.

Jimmy quickly asked his parents for some change to put into the collection bucket. They gave him ninety four cents…three quarters, a dime, a nickel and four pennies, to be exact.

He went to the collection container and dropped the dime, nickel and pennies in the container, BUT HE HELD ONTO THE THREE QUARTERS, thrusting them into his pockets.

His parents found out later about his deceit and were, needless to say, very disappointed. Disappointed to the point of being angry. He was punished and, I might add, learned his lesson.

Through the remaining years of his childhood, Jimmy’s parents gave him much change during the holidays to donate to the Salvation Army. Each time he would place the money into the container, and each time his parents would ask him, “Are your pockets empty?”

When I think of that account from long ago about a little boy bearing the name of Jimmy, I think about you and I today bearing the name of Christ.

As Christians, do we keep back part of our offerings? Not just in the monetary aspect of it, but what about In our time, talent and service? Do we give all that we have in those areas?

You see, in my life, if I am not careful, I sometimes find myself giving God the dimes, nickels and pennies of my life, while holding onto the quarters. If I am not careful, instead of giving all I can give of myself for the Lord, I find myself “keeping back part”.

You know, that thought process applies to all areas of our lives. Prayer and Bible study…are we giving ourselves fully to it? Service…have we surrendered all? That special burden the Lord has laid on our hearts recently…have we kept any quarters? What about our faithfulness and commitment…is it given in pennies and nickels?

Believer, Christ’s call has always been to give it all. He wants us to hold nothing back, but rather to place it all in His container. He desires so greatly for you and me to give ourselves wholly and completely to Him.

This time of year reminds me of that story and it reminds me of THE story – that God held nothing back and gave His very best, His only Son. Shouldn’t we give our very best to Him? And so, I’ll leave you with this question for you to consider this Christmas…

…are your pockets empty?

Jimmy Brown jimmy@Living4Jesus.com