Beyond Santa: The Stewardship Legacy of St. Nicholas
What if some of the most meaningful lessons about generosity at Christmas don’t come from the North Pole… but from a real follower of Jesus who lived more than 1,700 years ago?
When we look behind the legends, beyond the red suit and the flying sleigh, we discover a remarkable man—St. Nicholas of Myra. Not a fairy-tale figure, but a courageous disciple. Not a seasonal mascot, but a faithful steward whose life still speaks to us today about how we use the resources God has entrusted to us.
Nicholas was born in the late 200’s in what is now Turkey. When he was still a young boy, tragedy struck—both of his parents died, leaving him a meaningful inheritance. But here is the part rarely told: Nicholas didn’t see his wealth as something to preserve, flaunt, or accumulate. He saw it through the lens of Scripture—as a trust from God.
The Apostle Paul captures this heart in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, where he writes:
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Nicholas lived these verses long before they were stitched on Christmas pillows. One of the earliest stories about him tells of a poor father with three daughters and no dowry. Without it, the daughters faced a future of slavery. Quietly, under cover of night, Nicholas slipped bags of gold through their window—enough to save them from certain slavery and give them hope. This wasn’t charity for applause. This was biblical stewardship—being “rich in good deeds” and “willing to share.”
As he grew older, Nicholas became a bishop and a defender of the faith. Under Emperor Diocletian, Christian leaders were beaten, imprisoned, and executed. Nicholas refused to deny Christ, and he paid for his faith with years in chains. Yet even persecution could not extinguish Nicholas’s generosity.
Later, when false teaching threatened the church, Nicholas stood for truth even when it cost him relationships and comfort. He spent his entire life giving—his wealth, his voice, his courage—for the sake of others.
As I reflect on the life of St. Nicholas, I’m reminded of a few Christmases in our own family’s journey. Amy and I learned early that the greatest joy of the season isn’t found in what we receive, but in what we quietly give away. Several times over the years, we learned of families in deep need—parents who loved their children but simply couldn’t afford gifts. So, we went out together, shopped for toys and clothes, wrapped everything late into the night, and then slipped out under the cover of darkness to deliver them. We would place the packages on the porch, ring the doorbell, and drive away before anyone saw us. No applause. No credit. Just the holy joy of knowing that God had allowed us to be part of His provision for a family in need. Those were some of the most meaningful Christmas moments of our lives.
This Christmas, as we exchange gifts and hang stockings, let's remember the man behind the myth. A disciple who used his inheritance not to elevate himself but to serve the poor—a steward who placed his hope not in wealth but “in God, who richly provides.” A believer who stored up treasure “for the coming age” by loving people, not just indulging his own wants. Like Nicholas, who gave in secret to preserve the dignity of the poor, who is one person or one family you could quietly bless with sacrificial generosity this Christmas?