Who doesn’t love to receive a gift? For some, gift giving can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be.
Too many times we find ourselves giving a gift because someone gives us one, making us feel obligated; or we give gifts, we think people should have.
We learned the art of gift giving during our times of hardship. When money was flowing in, it was easy to give a gift, or should we say, it was easy to give a card with money. Simply, no thought but at least we remembered to give something even if it was just money.
It was during times of financial challenge that we learned through God’s Word two principles we follow, even to this day, when we give gifts.
1. A Gift Makes A Way To Someone’s Heart.
When money wasn’t available, it made us really think about the person we were giving a gift to. It caused us to consider what they liked, that fit our budget, yet reflected that we considered them in the gift.
Proverbs 18:16 (NLT) says: Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
Sometimes it takes a gift to soften even the hardest hearts. We have found this to be true, many times, by giving a gift to those who we felt didn’t deserve it based on how they treated us.
If we are to live a life that reflect God’s love, then we must look to God as our example. God gave us Jesus even when we didn’t deserve it. So who are we to hold back a gift from any of God’s children?
There was a time we gave a gift to someone who talked bad about us behind our backs. That was difficult to hear, or even be around them. However, when we chose to walk in love and give a gift meeting a need we knew they had, it caused them to soften their hearts and even apologized to us.
2. Gifts Bring Glory To God.
How many times have you received a gift you really didn’t want, or need for that matter? That happens when we give gifts out of obligation, or when we give gifts, we think someone should have instead of what they want or need.
If our gift doesn’t cause someone to thank God, then we didn’t do our part in the gift giving department. Paul tells us this in 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NLT) that: “Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.”
When we meet a need or a desire that someone has, it will cause them to give thanksgiving to God. Whenever God placed it on our hearts to bless a family who was experiencing a difficult time, we would purpose to meet a need, and a desire.
For instance, a couple who is struggling financially and desperately needs a date night, may not see movie tickets as a great gift when they don’t have money for gas. But if we gave them a card written with words of encouragement, enclosed with a gas card, and two movie tickets now they have something to be excited about. It causes them to thank God that they have gas to get to work, and the opportunity for a date night.
Gift giving isn’t about how much you spend, or who gives the most gifts. It’s about preparing a way into someone’s heart that ultimately grants thanksgiving to God.
The next time you give a gift, whether for a birthday, Christmas, or any special occasion; what will you give that prepares the recipients heart to bring praise and thanksgiving to God?
~ André and Timberley Gray
Great post. It inspired me!
Thank you for stopping by to read. Praise God!
Really interesting AND informative, Absolutely adored this post, Thanks so much, this blog post has such great points. Thanks again.
Thank you for stopping by to read and your kind words. ~ Blessings