This time of year, it's all around us... the idea of gifts and giving, presents and receiving.
When we're small, we get very excited about the receiving part. Okay, it's fun to get gifts, especially those ones that show that the person put some thought into it. There's no denying it!
But as we grow up, we start to understand that there is a real gift in giving. There is such intrinsic reward in watching someone receive and appreciate a gift we've taken the time to pick out for him or her. Whether it's the wonder on a child's face - or a tear of joy from a lonely old aunt - we start to learn the truth behind the saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Not the obligatory kind, of course. There's no enjoyment in that, only the repayment of an unspoken but very real debt. Folks that use the gift-giving as a means of one-upmanship spoil the whole idea. But real giving - the kind the other person doesn't expect and can't repay - is thrilling. It's a gift that gives back to the giver a hundredfold in satisfaction and happiness. We were designed to enjoy it by One who knows the joy of giving.
I could preach right now. But I won't.
When we're small, we get very excited about the receiving part. Okay, it's fun to get gifts, especially those ones that show that the person put some thought into it. There's no denying it!
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| Source: (through Google Images) http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog /2008/dec/04/christmas |
Not the obligatory kind, of course. There's no enjoyment in that, only the repayment of an unspoken but very real debt. Folks that use the gift-giving as a means of one-upmanship spoil the whole idea. But real giving - the kind the other person doesn't expect and can't repay - is thrilling. It's a gift that gives back to the giver a hundredfold in satisfaction and happiness. We were designed to enjoy it by One who knows the joy of giving.
I could preach right now. But I won't.
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