Gift Giving 1.01
A Devotional
© 2001 Steve Lattier and Men's Help Ministries

With Christmas and all it's earthly indulgences fresh on our minds let us stay a moment longer on gifts. What better place is there, what better season could there be to discuss this subject? “What did you get for Christmas?” was a phrase I heard all day yesterday from the children running around in typical excited fashion. Answers ranged from this convertible action figure to that video game to a new bike. I really wonder though in the excitement of the day how long they will remember what is was that they got for Christmas 2001? I am quite ready to believe that well over 90% of people will not recall more than one gift they received one year after they got it! The countless hours spent fighting mall traffic and lines? The rude people behind you and the irritable clerks? The paranoia that your car may get broken into and all the items removed. The sneaking around to hide the stuff from prying eyes. The lost sleep on Christmas eve coupled with the last minute panic as you tear the house apart looking for just one more D size battery. The hushed silence that follows the snapping together of each piece of an exceptionally loud plastic toy at three o'clock am. For what? The disappointed look from a loved one when you don't get the long hinted at prize? The setting aside of the less than perfect toy? The total dejection of a child that didn't get that pony? Is it really worth it? Sure there are elated giggles and squeals of joy, priceless looks when that “just right” present is unwrapped, “oh, honey I love you” (s), sometimes even hugs and tears of joy. But will the fleeting moments last? Yes, you often can remember a look or a thank you for years. But did it last for them? If you think about it too, in God's economy what you think or feel should always be second when a gift is bestowed.

The Word:
Genesis 42:25 Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man's silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, [26] they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left.

I don't know about you but I don't read anywhere in that passage that Joseph even thought about getting or remembering or even considered himself in the decision to do for his brothers, what was best. Remember this is the same Joseph that had been sold into slavery by those very same brothers some twenty or so years earlier! Sometimes people only give a present to those that they anticipate getting one from. Frequently people “estimate” the cost of the gift that they will receive and get one in the same range. Worse even than that is estimating the worth of the receiver of the gift. “Oh, I just can't get them anything over twenty dollars.” Have you ever heard that? Have you ever said that? Many people expect to receive when they give. As a matter of fact the only reason those folks give presents is so that someone will congratulate or reward them. Ask yourself this: Would I still give if I never even got as much as a thank you?

The Word:
Ezekiel 16:33 Every prostitute receives a fee, but you give gifts to all your lovers, bribing them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors.

While that is not exactly what was being referred to in the rest of the passage it does speak to that type of giving spirit. Giving for the sole purpose of getting. When you look up the word “Gift” in the Hebrew lexicon you will find about ten entries in the ancient language. Each has a slightly different application but they all have a common theme. “Offering.” That is the most common definition that pops up, kind of thought provoking isn't it? In the Greek lexicon there is also a common theme. Looking at the Greek word “Cavrisma” (where we get the word Charisma) it means: “a favor with which one receives without any merit of his own, the gift of divine grace.” That doesn't sound anything like the commercials on TV! It is interesting to note that “Cavrisma” comes from an older word “Carivzomai” which explains a whole lot about gifts. Here is the definition of “Carivzomai:” “to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favor to, gratify, to show one's self gracious, kind, benevolent, to give graciously, give freely, bestow.” That sounds even less like what we are taught to do. How much grace is in those gifts you wrapped? How freely given were they? Christian, do you give gifts or do you simply give presents? That might just sting a little when you think about the answer.

The Word:
2Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

What kind of stress have you been through in the last week or so? Would you consider yourself a cheerful giver? Were your decisions based off of your heart or were they motivated by something else? Of course you know that God gives perfectly and we can only shadow the form and style of His giving.

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

Now that doesn't mean that you can't be a good giver, neither does it mean that you cannot give wonderful, heart-gifts. It simply keeps things in perspective for us. While we just give, God gives perfectly. This whole gift giving extravaganza that we have gotten into on a yearly basis stemmed from God's biggest gift. God gave us His son so that whoever believes will have everlasting life! (John 3:16) Over the centuries since that time we have attempted to show each other that same love that we received by giving a little of ourselves. There is no way that we can redeem anyone to salvation but we can give in the same manner. God's gift of Salvation was heartfelt, genuine and free. In our own meager human way all we can do is apply those same principles to our giving! It is not about money. It is not about reciprocation. It is not about recognition or congratulation. It is about Carivzomai, giving graciously. To put it another way. It is about giving grace!

Pray with me: Father I am sorry I have not been giving like you did. Lord sometimes I do those things mentioned above. Teach me Lord, to give from my heart not my humanity. You have given a gift that cannot be matched all I can do is mimic the spirit of your great gift, help me to do that Lord so that when the times of giving come by YOU get the glory Father not me! Mold in me a givers heart, craft me in your image, finish what you started Lord, in Jesus name. Amen!

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