Merry Christmas! My next several posts will be Christ-mas centered. They are always Christ-centered, but tis the season. There will also be a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day post, so stay tuned. So let us talk about the gift of giving.
Well, Christmas is another day closer, another week closer. Each day it seems Carmen is thinking about another Grandkid’s gift….and even one or two for me (maybe I wasn’t so bad this year after all). 😊
Getting Gifts
How much fun is it to receive gifts, right? And about giving, whoever said it was the thought that counts when 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 heartfelt thoughts behind it.
It is fun to get gifts. 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. Thoughts were put into it.
Acts 20:35b ESV
…the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Carmen loves giving to people who are in need and on the street. Without judging their needs, she is a giver. I (and Carmen too) love blessing unsuspecting families at restaurants by anonymously paying their bills. Someone did that for us once and it was a great blessing to us.
Even a simple act of paying the bill of the person behind you at the drive-thru coffee shop brings the giver a warm heart. And the receiver a warm coffee. 😄 And it’s great how that causes many to ‘pay it forward.’
One year at our office we had an Angel Tree set up. It was fun watching one of my co-workers bring in Angel Tree gifts for a little baby to a family in need. It warmed my heart just watching.
Other Gifts of Giving:
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;
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) as a part of using the gifts God has given to each of us. The gifts and strengths are given to be used for the benefit of others.
I Corinthians 12:4-6 AMP
4 – 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]. 5 – And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. 6 – 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 gives. 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! 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 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 Season:
Let the gifts you have been given be an extension of Jesus, whether in your business, at work, or at home and in the community. When giving your gifts (a present or your God-given gifts), picture Jesus being right there (because He is) as you are giving those gifts. Be generous. 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.
