This is my annual Christmas post in which I share a bit about my faith and I don’t apologize for it. I’ll return to posting the usual content in the next post. If reading this post would offend you, then stop here and find something else to read. But I challenge you to read it anyway. You might not be as offended as you think.
One of the rules that I’ve had for this blog from the beginning has been that I will not publish anything that I haven’t done myself. It’s a promise that I’ve kept with you, the reader. My theme for this post is no different. It is a character trait that I’ve struggled to build in my own life. The name of this blog is The Stingy Sailor, after all!
I’m compelled to share this with you because I believe that we’re living in what could be argued as one of the most divided, selfish, angry, untrusting times in history. While there can be valid justifications for some of those reactions to circumstances beyond our control, they are still only symptoms, not solutions. They are defensive tactics. What we need is an offensive strategy. Not offensive in the sense of being insulting, offensive in the sense of countering the reactions, providing an alternative response that is within our control. One such response is generosity.
This world’s system says “Look out for number 1,” “Protect what’s yours,” “Get what’s coming to you,” and “It’s not your responsibility.” Generosity says “I value your needs above my own,” “I have been given so that I can give,” “I won’t look the other way,” and “I want to make a difference.”
You can practice generosity in many ways, such as:
- Your time. Offer to take a retired sailor out for a short cruise to remember how much they love sailing. Offer to help your local sailing club. Voluntarily take time to pick up and dispose of trash at the natural areas you visit.
- Your talents. Offer to teach an interested young person how to sail. Offer your experience to help a fellow sailor repair or upgrade their sailboat with tips you learned here.
- Your treasure. Offer a financial gift to a struggling family or single mom that you know. Support a non-profit organization that serves the less fortunate in your community. Give away some of the money you saved by being a stingy DIYer.
It can be as easy as over-tipping deserving servers at restaurants that you patronize during this holiday season.
We celebrate the birth and advent of Jesus Christ at this time of year. He is the ultimate expression of generosity from our heavenly Father. He gave all to pay our debt; a debt He did not owe and did not have to pay. He paid it because of his mercy, his love, his generosity. And he calls us to be merciful, loving, and generous as well.
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:38
So answer the call to generosity this season. Then go beyond this season and resolve to make it your habit in 2025. Random acts of kindness are a great start. Radical acts of generosity are even better. If we would all respond to the darkness around us according to our ability to be generous, this world would be a different place.
The $tingy Sailor 
thank you.
Thanks you for the timely reminder and May God continue to bless you and your family in 2025! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Well said , thank you -Mery Christmas!
Excellent advice.
fine thoughts, nothing to apologize for.
Your posts have enriched my sailing life. The keel project posts were a gift!
Jack Woodside (Ambler)
I have appreciated and learned a lot from your blogs and appreciate the time and effort you have put into them. Even more I appreciate you being open about your faith in Jesus Christ. Hopefully, your readers will be intrigued and want to know more. May God continue to bless you as you serve Him. I look forward to meeting you in heaven some day. If would be fun if we continue to enjoy sailing with the breeze in our face, if not, being with Jesus will be enough.
Thanks for the reminder to be generous. We all can do something to make this world a better place. God bless and have a merry Christmas.
Though I’m not a religious person, I love your post. Thank you for posting such uplifting thoughts.
Thanks for your thoughtful reminder on giving and generosity. Very powerful message. Best, Dan
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
Bless you. Thank you.
Thanks for this! Such a great reminder, and on so many fronts. Your site helped us enjoy our 1979 C22 for the past half dozen years until we moved to a bigger boat. We recently donated it to a veteran’s charity and the boat was picked up at auction by a local sailor who was so excited to get his young family out in the water with their new-to-them vessel. It was a real joy to see them take ownership. So, in a small way at least, we are trying to follow some of your thoughtful advice and appreciate the reminder to do more.
What a great way to pay it forward, Scott. The joy that follows sacrifice doesn’t come from within ourselves (Hebrews 12:2)
Cheers!
Evan
As a retired scientist, I’m not particularly religious, more agnostic than anything else. (and as they say, “the closest most sailors get to God is the top of the mast.”).
But I nevertheless very much enjoyed your Christmas message. Including your specific suggestions for how to be more generous this season. I’m sure your comments will generate more than a few random acts of kindness among your readers!
You’re always welcome at my boat, Matt.
Thank you so much for sharing this. It’s lovely and very much along the lines of what I have been thinking and feeling and doing.
If we all thoughtfully respond rather than react and share joy from the place that we live, the world would be a profoundly different place.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Your friend in Canada,
Louise PS. We still have our Cat 22. I am retiring after my birthday next week and I plan to spend a lot of time on her next season….
If your retirement goes anything like mine, you’ll discover not only more time to sail but also more time to serve others, which is a blessing itself. Thanks for all your support over the years, Louise.
I love this. Thank you so much for writing and sharing it.
Amen Brother! Merry Christmas!
Absolutely spot on and we agree 100%.
Thank you for the refreshing reminder 😊
Marc
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! You are a truely generous person. I love your blog and refer to it often. I’ve had a 1974 C22 for over 20 years and sail it in Maine every summer. I have been restoring a 1979 27′ Sun Yatch for the last 4 years in Maryland. I have one more restoration project left in me and that will be a 1980’s 34′ sloop. I’m still looking for the right one, and to keep my mariage I will part with the other boats (at least the Sun Yatch) before I own the final sailboat. Sailboats are a gift from heaven. Treat them with respect and they will provide years of joy.
God bless you. May fair winds and following seas follow you forever.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
HarryK
Ahoy from San Francisco!
Love your site and blog posts! And while I’m not a Christian, I absolutely believe in your message of generosity. Your email resonates with me, and for that I’m grateful of the reminder to practice random acts of kindness and keep an open heart towards all…as best I can.
Thank you for your words, and we aboard MV Zissou & SV Andiamo! wish you a very happy Christmas and new year.
Light & love, Anton
Sent from Gmail Mobile
Thanks for reading and commenting, Anton. Best regards to you and yours.
I just want to thank you for this! It brings me back to what’s really important!
God bless,
Marilyn
Thank you for your blessings of written postings. I recall the Seattle boat show meeting with you & your wife so I could introduce MastGates.
It has been said that if you can not fight the fight, then give supplies to those ready, willing and able. So please enjoy giving donations.
Always great to hear from you, Tom. I send everybody who asks me about mast gates your way. Blessings to you and yours.
Thanks so much. I always look forward to your Christmas post, and you nailed it with this one! Blessings, Bob
Thank you for your heartfelt message. Its often easy to forget how a simple act of kindness or generosity can have a significant effect on another person especially at this time of year.
Whist I don’t have a C22, I have used many of your tips and projects on my 25ft Top Hat with great success. Thank you for this blog; its a beauty.
From here Downunder, I wish you, your family and the greater $tingy Sailor family, a merry Christmas and a safe and fulfilling 2025.
Always love it when you use your platform to share God’s love and your faith!Merry Christmas brother!Sent from my iPhone
Wise words. Thanks and God Bless.
Thank you for such a mature, caring & thoughtful sentiment. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Thank you for your Christmas message. My wife and I have enjoyed many of your articles on Catalina 22s and have implemented many of your improvements. It is refreshing to see another Christian share their faith and generosity with others. I am resolved to do more in the coming year to help others. Thanks so much for your message. Bob and Stephanie.
Thanks Stingy, I couldn’t agree more!Karen N.Sent from my iPhone
Thank you for the message On Generosity. I have a Catalina 22 and view all of your posts. They have been very helpful to me as I upgrade the boat. Your recent blog on Generosity hits home quite well. I am in my 70’s and will continue to sail as long as possible, but I hope when I do retire my sailing friends will invite me out. Thank you Bob Baker Dundas (Hamilton), Ontario, Canada
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Well said, sailor!!! Amen!!!
Thank you for being salt and light.
Thank you Stingy Sailor. Thank you much.
Great offensive content, keep it coming. If you’re aware of bitcoin, here’s another example of someone using a temporal interest to try and make an eternal impact… https://x.com/Satoshi_V_Jesus?t=jnsMtKall9M29FU0x1DxXQ&s=09
Thank you for your post. We are also practicing christians.Merry Christmas to you and your family!Joan Sent from my iPad
Thank you for this! I completely agree and have kept your post and reread it.
Yes, there is division on many things, but not on love and generosity. I am looking forward to the next sailing season and I have often thought of offering sailing to another. This year I will do it. Thank you for the encouragement.
Fair winds fellow sailor!
Excellent post – thank you for the words of wisdom. Focusing outwards and on others has brought more fulfillment to me than focusing inward on self. You give great examples!