.

Here are some timely quotes on the subject:

• Elizabeth Bibesco: “Blessed are those who give without remembering and take without forgetting.”

• Jackie Windspear: “Grace isn’t a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It’s a way to live.”

• Peace Pilgrim quotes: “Pure love is a willingness to give without a thought of receiving anything in return.”

I have been the receiver in recent years of some of the most unbelievable gifts imaginable. Also thanks to God over the years I have been able to be a part of giving some gifts for others. Experiencing both has taught me a great deal and prayerfully made me a better person, though I know I still have a long way to go.

Here is a quote from Richard Harris: “Having the ability to receive gifts is important to our spiritual beginnings and being able to give gifts is very important to our spiritual development.”

Personal Exercise

Take a moment and think of the last gift you have given someone then answer these questions.

1. Do you still treat that gift as if it belongs to you? If so you have never really given it.
2. Where your motives pure, not looking for anything in return? If not you gave for the wrong reason.
3. Do you see the receiver as a lesser person because they needed the gift? If so you have not given that person a gift but a curse. They would have been better to have never received the gift in the first place.

Now take a moment and think of the last time you received a gift and then answer these questions.

1. Was a word of simple, sincere thanks given to the gift giver? You’re ingratitude reflects a serious spiritual issue.
2. Are you busy looking for how you can pay the gift back? If so you are insulting the sincere giver, being able to give was their reward.
3. Have you taken the gift for granted and thus not used it in the manner it was intended? You have wasted an opportunity for both the giver and you to see the ultimate good of the gift.

When done with the right spirit giving and receiving make each life richer, here are some good scriptures on the subject to close our day together down:

• Matthew 6:1, “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Jesus is dealing head on with our attitude when giving, be careful.
• Matthew 6:4, “so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” He is dealing head on with our motives, be real careful again.
• Proverbs 25:14, “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.”
• Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be gracious in both the giving and receiving of gifts. We thank you most of all for your great gift in Jesus Christ who died for our sins and may that gift motivate us to givers of gifts as well. We ask these things in his precious and Holy Name, Amen.