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Susan K. Stewart

Serving God by Serving Others

Gift Giving

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Small giftEach year, at this time, we lament the commercialism of the Holy Season. But what do most of us (and I mean us, including myself) do about it? We go ahead and purchase to our limit with little caveats that make us feel good.

You know what I mean: buying from local hometown businesses rather big box stores, buying supplies and making gifts, buying within our stated budget. While we are doing the buying, we drop a few coins in the red bucket outside of the store, and maybe buy something for a child from the Christmas tree at the front of said store.

Please don’t think I’m against giving. I enjoy giving. But I don’t enjoy feeling obligated to give, or feeling that only a certain kind of gift is acceptable. I want to be the cheerful giver that Paul talks about. The key to being a cheerful giver is being a giver from the heart.

How often do we give, whether a gift for a special event, a gift to a favorite organization, or a gift to our church, out of our abundance? Out of our left-overs? Our left over money?Our left over things? Our left over time?

Jesus tells of the gift of the widow. The rich walked in and dropped their “left-overs” inlarge and small coins the offering. The widow gave a “mite,” an amount so small it can’t be counted in today’s money. Jesus said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!” (Luke 21:1-4 NIV)

I think the rich were proud givers, while the widow was a cheerful giver.

No matter what you give, or what you don’t give, this Christmas season, be sure it is from your heart. Give to whom you wish, what you wish without compulsion. Enjoy the act of giving.

December 9, 2010 · 2 Comments

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  1. Alison Moore Smith says

    November 3, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    I love the idea of focusing on giving from the heart.

    Personally, I don’t bemoan the commercialization of Christmas because I can freely choose how to celebrate. I do love buying and giving gifts, but never feel obligated. I do it the way I want and how I feel it best in a given year. And love it every year!

    Reply
    • Susan K. Stewart says

      December 19, 2013 at 11:08 am

      Alison, you obviously give from the heart. I read recently that the not only did God give us the Baby Jesus, but Christmas can also be a looking forward to the gift of the resurrection. That is truly heart giving.

      Reply

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