Giving

‘...remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ’ (Acts 20: 35)

Here we are, on the 22^nd of December, with just three days to go.... and I have all my gifts ready for Christmas Day! This unusual achievement is giving me a great deal of pleasure! Admittedly, it is somewhat easier this year as our family won’t be giving and receiving presents until some time after Christmas Day as we will not all actually be together on the day itself. So when I say I have all my presents ready for Christmas Day, that actually has not involved me in a great deal... but, still, it feels good!

As people (and advertisers) keep reminding us, Christmas is a time of giving. Presents are exchanged and we give gifts to our loved ones and friends. At the church in which I am currently serving, the children’s Christmas Party was held yesterday, and – as is traditionally the case – at the end of the party Santa appeared (would you believe it!) and gave gifts to all the children. As he did so, he kept making chuckling noises and uttering a joyful ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’. He seemed to get a great deal of pleasure out of simply giving.

And there is certainly a great deal of pleasure to be found in giving gifts.

For Christians, our giving reflects that generous, gracious and loving gift that God gave us in the sending of his Son to be our Saviour.

And it is as I think again about the implications of that gift that I wonder if our giving really does reflect God’s giving to any great extent.

Unlike God, we tend to give to those who give to us, or those who are expecting a gift.

Sometimes our gifts may cost a lot of money, but they are rarely ‘costly’ in any other way.

So, how would it look if our giving really did more fully reflect something of God’s giving?

I suppose what I am wondering is what it would look like for me to give something more than presents... to give myself, fully and freely to God and fully and freely to others.

What would that mean for me in terms of service and sacrifice?

What would the implications be for my time and my priorities?

To which people would I be giving?

How would that change my life?

And might I discover that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive?