The Original Giver

12/1/2021

Written By: Debi Pierson

Here we are smack dab in the middle of the holiday shopping season. As gift-givers, we often put a ton of pressure on ourselves to give the gift that gets the biggest reaction. We want to be the holiday hero!

If you have young children, you may even be just a tad bit envious that the big guy in red gets your well-deserved glory… As a toy shop owner and grandmother of MANY, that pressure is real. But here’s what I’ve been asking myself as of late:

Is it better to give than to receive?

We’d probably all agree on the affirmative. In the book of Acts, Luke tells us that Paul quotes Jesus saying, “remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Even non-Christians can agree with this. It just seems right. If we’re not careful, when we talk about giving, it can actually turn into a bit of a humble brag.

“I’d love to donate more to the food pantry, but we’re already sponsoring two needy families this season.”

“I’m going to give a little extra to the Christmas offering, but we just took two weeks off for a mission trip, so we’re a little strapped.”

“We only give 3 gifts to our kids. If it was good enough for Jesus…”

The Bible does have plenty to say about giving, but what does it say about receiving?

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ~1 Timothy 6:17

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ~1 Peter 4:10

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! ~2 Corinthians 9:15

If you’re reading this on your laptop, a mobile device, or even a computer you’re using at the library, you’re RICH compared to the majority of the world’s citizens. And that is because you have received from God—to meet your needs AND to give you enjoyment.

As a recipient of such generosity, using what you have received, humbly give and serve others, never forgetting, that the only reason we can give is because we have first been recipients of God’s mercy and grace.

It isn’t a contest between giving and receiving. It is the posture with which we do both. Receiving is almost always a very humbling experience. Whether we are talking about a hand-drawn card from a child, charity from the food bank, or God’s provision and gifts. But giving must come from the same place of humility or we just aren’t doing it right. Our giving should only reflect what God gives us. When the recipient sees us, they really should see Him.

Instead of getting caught up in the trap of trying to give THE BEST gift, accept that the Baby’s birth we celebrate this season was a precursor to THE BEST GIFT any of us will ever receive—the hope of SALVATION because of Christ.

We cannot compete with the Father who has given us the ONLY gift we’ll ever need. So, relax and enjoy the season. There is already a hero, and it isn’t you. Use your giving as a way to honor the OG (original Giver) and extend His love to others.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~James 1:17