UNWRAPPED GIFT!

Proverbs 18:16 AMPC

A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

 

We all would have unwrapped our gifts by now and we are either happy or unhappy with the gift within, but the Bible teaches a great deal about giving because giving is part of who God is. Our God is the greatest Giver—He is the Gift that never stops giving. His generosity began with the most precious gift ever given: His Son, Jesus Christ. No gift could ever match this, yet His example teaches us how to give with intention, love, and purpose.

We are in a season of thanksgiving, gratitude, and celebration—a season where people spend huge amounts of money on gifts. Soon, people all over the world will be unwrapping presents. Sadly, many of those gifts will be what I call useless (to the receiver) or worthless (to both giver and receiver). They carry no thought, no meaning, and no value.

But God’s gift to us was not like that. His gift was thoughtful, intentional, sacrificial, and priceless. So, we must ask ourselves: Are our gifts thoughtful? Are they meaningful? Are they given with love?

Shops are filled with gifts of every size and price. We buy for colleagues, friends, family, church groups, and secret Santa exchanges. But how much thought do we truly put into these gifts? Do we consider the heart of the person receiving it, or do we simply buy something because we feel obligated?

Some people even recycle unwanted gifts from their homes—items they didn’t value—without thinking about the person who will receive them. But as believers, we are called to give differently.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” 

When we give with the right heart, God ensures blessings return to us.

1 Corinthians 16:2 teaches that giving should be thoughtful, sacrificial, generous, and joyful. We are to consider our income, the occasion, and the person we are giving to. Yet many of us ignore this wisdom and instead cast our pearls before swine, as Jesus warns in Matthew 7:6—giving valuable things to people who do not appreciate or honour them.

Some believers are careful with themselves but will spend unnecessary amounts on people who neither value their effort nor care for their sacrifice. Meanwhile, the people who truly poured into their lives—sisters, brothers, ministers, pastors—are often forgotten.

Think about the people who added real value to you this year: 

Those who prayed for you. 

Those who encouraged you. 

Those who supported you even when they were tired or hurting. 

Those who stood with you when others walked away.

Do we remember them when we are giving? Or do we only think of teachers, colleagues, and social circles?

Jesus said in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 

And Luke 6:38 promises that when we give, it will be given back to us in good measure. Some gifts we give become open doors of blessing because they were given with a cheerful and grateful heart.

2 Corinthians 9:7 teaches us to give voluntarily, not reluctantly or under pressure. God loves a cheerful giver—someone who gives because they want to, not because they must.

We must not wait until December to appreciate people. Gratitude should be a lifestyle, not a season. Opportunities to show love and appreciation appear throughout the year. Let’s learn to express our gratitude in active, visible ways. Let’s honour the people God used to bless us.

We deceive ourselves if we claim to love and thank the God we cannot see yet ignore the people we can see—the very people God used to lift us, teach us, and strengthen us.

Today, be encouraged to reach out. 

Send a message. 

Give a small gift. 

Say “thank you.” 

Show appreciation. 

Let someone know they matter.

Your gift may be the doorway to their blessing—and yours.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

- Do I give with thoughtfulness, or simply out of obligation? 

- Who has added real value to my life this year, and how can I appreciate them? 

- Am I giving my “pearls” to people who value them, or to those who don’t? 

- What kind of giver does God want me to become?

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the gift of Jesus and for teaching me to give with love and purpose. Help me to show gratitude to those who have blessed my life and to give cheerfully, as You have given to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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