Boo! (Part 6)

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ESV).

Our last look at practical principles approaching Halloween is the encouragement to be a generous people. By being Jesus’ people, we should become increasingly generous people. He fills our hearts and opens our hands. John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” While this is a truth for our every day, it is especially true on this night. We should remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35). Our reading today from the Apostle Paul tells us to resolve to make the sacrifice to give “not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (v. 7). That is a worthy object to achieve especially on a night like Halloween. Remember that unbelieving humans are not our enemies. The devil and his demons are the foe. Paul said, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). So, chase away the darkness by turning on your porch lights and giving out the best of treats. Look upon the nastiest costumes and vilest of revelers with the mind and heart of Christ. Matthew reminds us that: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Jesus came to destroy Satan, all his works, and all his ways (cf. 1 John 3:8). He has delivered “all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (cf. Hebrews 2:15). Be strong in him and in the strength of his might (cf. Ephesians 6:10), and on this All Hallows’ Eve, take your stand against the schemes of the devil (cf. Ephesians 6:11). After all, this is our night! It does not belong to our enemy. Jesus saw to that in the glorious wonder of the resurrection!