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The Devotional Diva - Giving Gifts on Purpose
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The Devotional Diva - Giving Gifts on Purpose
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshipped Him. Then opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 (NAS95)
Do you ever experience gift grief? I have. Trying to decide what to get someone for Christmas can be agonizing. Am I giving because I feel obligated? Will any old thing do just to have something? What about the money, the time and hassling with the crowds? Oh well, it is the season to give.
In reality, this is the season Christians celebrate the birth of our King. Yet, we must admit gifts play a big part of our Christmas festivities. Be honest - we like to get gifts and most of the people I know love to give them. However, it can cause a nervous breakdown if we are not careful. So today, I’d like to address this issue of gift giving.
What I am about to share, I take no credit for. A few years ago, the Lord impressed these thoughts upon my sister in Christ, friend and boss – Cheryle Touchton. She wrote a book entitled: Pocket Full of Christmas – Having a Purpose Filled Advent.
The book contains too much for me to summarize in our short time together, but for our immediate purposes, and with her permission, I want to share her concepts of giving gifts on purpose.
Gifts given on purpose are gifts with a purpose. First, we must ask:
• Are they given from the heart?
• How did you pick them out?
• Did you pray about them?
• Did you enjoying giving them?
• Did they serve a purpose in God’s Kingdom?
Second, let us realize that the original first gifts given were to the Christ Child. They were the best the giver had (the wise men were wealthy so they could afford the treasures they brought – please note they give out of what was theirs – they did not charge the gifts to a credit card) – and they served a purpose. If you read further in Matthew, you will discover these gifts were what provided the small family an income during their time in Egypt.
Have you considered that every gift you give is given in behalf of Christ? Have you ever considered writing on your gift tag “please accept this gift on behalf of Jesus?” Just a thought.
Now for the gifts themselves. Cheryle gives gifts in five categories all based off the commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, plus love your neighbor. See Luke 10:27. I will list the categories for your reading pleasure and meditation:
1. Fellowship Gifts (Loving God with your heart.) These can be games, toys or anything that promotes playing and spending time together.
2. Worship Gifts (Loving God with your soul.) A music CD or even a stereo to play it on could be a worship gift – something that assists with worship.
3. Discipleship Gifts (Loving God with your mind.) These are education and strengthen the mind. Bibles, instructional books and journals are good examples.
4. Ministry Gifts (Loving God with your strength.) These practical gifts make life more functional for someone else. Appliances, tools and yes, even the dreaded vacuum cleaner fall into this category.
5. Mission Gifts (Loving our neighbor as ourselves.) This one is obvious, such as mission donations, charity work, feeding the homeless – donating items to others in need.
The trick here is to match the right gift with the right person. If someone you know doesn’t like practical gifts, don’t get them a ministry gift. This is where prayer will help you decide what to do.
Cheryle also offers practical advice such as:
• Setting budgets and NOT going over them.
• Make sure you can afford the gifts you give.
• Ask yourself how you will “open your treasures” this year.
• Delight in the giving of your gifts. Remember whom you are really giving them to; look back at the Scripture because in essence every gift is to be a worship gift – in worship to the Gift given to us by God Himself.
These are just brief snippets of what Cheryle shares in her book. Please allow me to encourage you to visit her website at www.pocketfullofchange.org There you will find more detailed information on this subject. You will also find links to a video series that follows the 25 days of Advent and her book. They are 3-4 minute video clips on each topic that you will find helpful and inspirational.
In addition, I have updated my website at www.barbaragobbs.com. I hope you will enjoy it as well.
I give you my love in honor of Christ!
Barbara
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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