Giving to your church can sometimes take a backseat to daily stress of paying the mortgage, finding the “must-have” Christmas toy, or other “life expenses.”

When you start to feel that way, think about the Three Wise Men and what they did to give – not just their gifts, but their gift of time and travel.

They traversed hundreds of miles and carried treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ Child at his birth. Guided by the Star of Bethlehem, their group braved the multi-month trip to pay their respects and share their gifts with the newborn Jesus.

Remember, there weren’t highways or even roadways, mainly just well-traveled paths across mostly empty lands. They were guided by the stars and natural landmarks, and likely depended on the kindness of strangers when they stopped to rest.

And yet they persevered.

Rev. Andrew Kukla, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho, said the philosopher Kierkegaard reflected that when the Magi visited Herod and the king’s “wisemen,” they were happy to point the way, but didn’t go with the Magi to find Jesus.

Essentially, Kukla notes, “they mailed it in when it came time to attend to the birth of the long-awaited Messiah… The Magi gave presence; Herod gave absence. The Magi gave humility, to pay him homage and kneeling before him, while Herod sat on a throne in his palace – and he was good at building palaces.

“The Magi gave him their life, through the many risks of the long journey, to honor Jesus’ birth; Herod gave him, and everyone, fear for their lives,” Kukla said. “So this Christmas season, as we think about our stewarding of gifts in a time filled with parties, anxious preparations, and the must-have toy of the year, may we reflect on the gifts that we are really giving to families, our communities and to God.”

Today, you can share your gifts from the comfort of your home by writing a check or, for many churches, using an online app on your phone to quickly and conveniently support your church community. No months-long journey by donkey and camel, or camping overnight in strange lands.

Another option is you can provide support through your time and talent – volunteering to help clean-up the church landscaping or serving on the budget or Sunday School committee.

“Years ago,” Rev. Kukla said, “the first time I led a stewardship workshop I said, ‘If you have a stewardship problem in the church, what you really have is a belonging problem.’ People who truly belong not only feel at home, they see themselves as part of the solution to problems that arise. The Magi show us discipleship before the word is ever used, and belonging beyond ethnic and religious ties, they sense, they follow, they see… and they pay homage.”

Christian stewardship is about taking care of all that God has given us. Do we use these gifts a self-centered way or in a way to benefit the church and church community?

So when you start to feel overwhelmed with holiday stress and paying bills, remember the Magi, who followed a star to bestow their gifts, their love and their commitment.