Friday, June 17, 2011

Gift Giving

'A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.'
Proverbs 18:16

Giving a gift at the appropriate times is something my mother taught me at an early age. Yet I still forget sometimes, and I even miss birthdays and the like. That does not mean I have forgotten the value of gift-giving.

We should not give gifts simply for the sake of giving them. If we do that, we are usually cultivating a motive for that giving. That is not of God. While it is wonderful to give a gift to show appreciation, or simply in thanks, we must be careful not to give for favors. That invalidates the gift's purpose. It becomes meaningless. Just as giving too many compliments soon becomes tiresome to the receiver, so does over giving.

So, consider when you are thinking of giving a gift what the true purpose of it is. Don't become one of those who give for the purpose of being noticed. Give because you care about the one receiving. Give to generate smiles, and joy. Give to give a blessing to one who may need it today. Give because giving with a cheerful heart pleases the heart of God.

For God gave us the greatest Gift of all, and He certainly does care for each and every one of us.

Blessings!

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