The Joy of Giving

Christmas is a time of giving—giving gifts, giving time, giving money, and giving of yourself—usually for the joy we see in response to that giving. I began thinking about some of the best gifts I have ever received, and I asked some people around me (informally) to tell me about the best or most memorable gifts they have received.

Here are a few of those responses:

• Quality time spent with family
• From Jerusalem, an olive wood cross and jewelry box
• Getting my first instrument
• A well-loved, well-worn Criswell Study Bible that belonged to my great-grandfather
• The unexpected things: personalized stationery, hand-painted ceramic cross
• Hand-crafted quilt made by my great-grandmother
• Family photo blanket for travel
• Family photo collage after all personally owned pictures/memories were lost
• Any gift where I can tell the giver put thought into it—”things I didn’t know I wanted/needed”
• Hand-written notes from my wife and kids

As I listened to and read these responses, I couldn’t help but picture the giver of these gifts. Can you just picture this person sitting and watching with anticipation as their gift was opened? Maybe they knew that this gift would be “the perfect gift”—but maybe they didn’t know how much it would mean. Maybe they had studied and asked a lot of questions to try to figure out just what to give. Perhaps they just knew because they know that person so well. I wonder how many of these gifts were asked for. How many were unexpected? But as the recipient opened the gift and the giver saw the response to that “perfect” item or experience, imagine the joy that this person experienced.

The Magi from the Christmas story knew that kind of joy. A long time ago, these Magi from the East had heard the prophecy that a king would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and God placed on their hearts a desire to go and find this king of the Jews and worship Him. They traveled thousands of miles and many months to find the baby Jesus. They encountered, I imagine, all kinds of travel hazards—perhaps weather, other people and cultures, maybe even treacherous terrain. And they did not have a map of Mary and Joseph’s doorstep. They followed the star. But on they traveled.

The Magi were seeking Jesus, and that was their only desire. They gave their time (years of study and months of travel). They gave their persistence (they continued to seek Him, no matter what). They gave their devotion (after being warned in a dream, they protected the family by returning not to King Herod but through another city). They also gave intentionally (gold—a gift for a King, frankincense—a gift for a deity, and myrrh—a spice for one who will die). But—the Bible says they gave joyfully.

In Matthew 2:10–11, we see the response of the Magi. It says, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. When they came into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Out of their joy came worship, and out of their worship came giving. Giving is an act of worship. We must have the desire to seek out and find our Savior—Jesus Christ—so that we may give joyfully and present Him as our best gift. For He is worthy of it all.

As Christmas approaches this year, I pray that you will be like those Magi—seeking Jesus with your whole heart and out of a joyful heart, worshipping Him through giving—of your time, your service, your finances, and your devotion.

Questions for Thought

1. Where and how is God inviting you to give generously to others this Christmas season?
2. Is your main desire, like the Magi, to seek Jesus and make Him known?

Daily Challenge

Take some time this season to sit and remember ALL that God has given you. Did you wake up this morning? That is a gift. Did you sleep in a bed? That, too is a gift. Do you have warm, clean clothes to wear? They are gifts from Him. Have you been gifted with leadership skills? Is your gift in growing a business? Thank God for the gifts He has given. Joyful giving is often the response of a grateful heart.