I found something in my email this morning, something which disturbed me greatly. It was from YouVersion, the online Bible app from lifechurch.tv. Now I love this app, I use it a lot to read the Bible, look up scriptures, post live church events and network with other people that read the Bible. Today, they are promoting a special event on Christmas, “Global Share the Bible Day”. What a great idea! The purpose is to help the world remember the true meaning of Christmas, and to do that, they’re giving away a free iPad, iPhone 4 or Nexus S. Here’s the excerpt:
A Special Event on Christmas Day and a Giveaway!
We’re declaring Saturday, December 25, “Global Share the Bible Day,” and we hope you’ll join us in helping the world remember the true meaning of Christmas. On December 25, let’s draw as much attention as we can to the Bible—the story of God’s love for us.
Now: Spread the Word (and Win!)
Please start inviting people now to join us on December 25. If you’ll connect your free YouVersion account and post online about Global Share the Bible Day, we’ll register you to win your choice of one of five gifts: an iPad, an iPhone 4, or a Nexus S!
First of all, whomever posted this can’t count. 3 gifts listed, yet you can choose from 5. Wow. So if we read the Bible and spread the Word, we can possibly win electronics. I’m guessing they’re doing the giveaway as an incentive for people to participate. Isn’t this defeating the purpose? If Christmas has become consumed with pandemonium, consumerism, selfishness, economic hardship, and most of all… materialism, isn’t this “incentive” really participating in the forgetfulness of Jesus’ birth?
Please don’t misunderstand me. I like YouVersion and I will still use it. I am, however, very disappointed in this materialistic persuasion, which is the whole reason we need to remember what Christmas is all about.
I encourage everyone to read the Bible on Christmas day, not to win stuff, but to remember and celebrate Christmas in the right way for the right reasons. Merry Christmas, or better yet, happy birthday to you Jesus!
trashsociety.com 
Shouldn’t we want to read the Bible without a prize? What is next? With every new baptism you win a new bath tub?
Hot tub, not bath tub…
Right? We should read because we want to read, share because we want to share… save the winning electronics for another time and place.
I just saw this status update on Facebook: “Frisco Family Services is taking food and clothing donations at the new Frisco Square Cinemark theatre till 3pm. Bring a donation and you could win prizes!”