Each day it seems Carmen is wrapping another Grandkid’s gift or one for a friend….and even one or two for me (maybe I wasn’t so bad this year after all).😊Let’s dig into some words of encouragement regarding gifts – the Gifting.
How much fun is it to receive gifts, right? And pertaining to giving, whoever said it was the thought that counts when you are giving a gift? It’s not just the thought of giving someone some random gift just to be giving a gift. The gift needs to have purpose and/or heartfelt thoughts behind it.
More Blessed to Give Than to Receive
It is fun to get gifts though. As fun as it is, It’s more blessed to give than receive. The blessing is in bringing joy to someone with the gift, and knowing that the giving of the gift is showing love and gratitude to someone in which actual thoughts were put into it.
Acts 20:35 ESV
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Giving Without Judgement
Carmen loves giving to people in need on the street, without judging their needs or whether they are conning people out of money or not. I (and Carmen too) love blessing unsuspecting families at restaurants by anonymously paying their tabs. Someone did that for us once and it was the gifting that was a great blessing to us.
Even a simple act of paying the bill of the person behind you at the Scooter’s drive-thru coffee shop or another coffee business. It brings the giver a warm heart. And it’s great how that act of kindness causes many to ‘pay it forward.’
Don’t let the ‘Worthiness Meter’ determine who you are giving the gift to, or what the gift will be. For who really is worthy?
One time at our office we had an Angel Tree set up. It was fun watching my co-worker Hiram bring in his Angel Tree gifts for a little baby for a family in need. It warmed my heart just watching.
Ministry Gifts – We All Have Them
God blesses others through us with three other types of the gifting. I want to briefly mention them.
- Ministry gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers);
- Manifestation gifts (a message of wisdom; the message of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues;
- and Motivational gifts (Prophesying, Serving, Teaching, Encouraging, Giving, Leading, and Showing Mercy).
But we also see where Paul adds and distinguishes strengths (or natural abilities given by God). This is a part of using the gifts God has given to each of us as gifts to be used for the benefit of others:
I Corinthians 12:4-6 AMP
Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them].
1 Corinthians 12:4 references “variety of spiritual gifts” (spiritual gifts – Ministry, Manifestation, and Motivational) while verse 5 speaks about “different kinds of service” (positions or roles to carry out service) and verse 6 refers to “different kinds of working” (manner or strengths).
I think it’s plain to see that gifts are meant to be given. It’s your way of having an impact. An impact for God and His Kingdom. For people (which is all people) to see and know God’s love. For even God gives gifts! And “it don’t get any gooder” than what God does. Now that’s good English!
Matthew 7:11 AMP
If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him.
The Best Gift Ever
And besides, God gave the best gift ever! The Gifting! He gave us the gift of His son. He gave us the gift of eternal life through Jesus. Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends (Luke 6:38 ESV).
Isn’t that what Christmas is about? The birth. The amazing gift of Jesus?
Luke 2:10-11 NASB
And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Challenge of the Day:
Consider and recognize the gifts you have been given. See and use this as an extension of Jesus. Whether in your business, at work, or at home and in the community, reflect Him by using your gifts. When giving your gifts (a present or your God-given gifts), picture Jesus being right there (because He is) as you are giving and using those gifts. When receiving a gift (a blessing), picture Jesus, the heart of Jesus, handing you that gift. Focus on the giver. It will warm your heart. So be it.
Bonus song…
