The grace of giving

THE GRACE OF GIVING

 

. . . see that you also excel in this grace of giving (2 Cor. 8:7b NIV).

 

I remember the Christmas our children discovered the blessing of giving. They had carefully selected gifts for their parents and wrapped the presents themselves. That Christmas morning, instead of running downstairs and tearing into their own gifts, they proudly handed us our gifts. Then, almost bursting with excitement, they insisted we open our gifts before they turned to their own. When it is motivated by love, what a blessing giving is.

 

But how do you give when you don't have money? You give what you have. Do you have time? Give some by helping others. Do you have a telephone? Use it to encourage and cheer someone. Do you have an ability, such as knitting or woodworking? Use that talent to make something for someone else.

 

What skills do you have? Have you thought about giving those? Perhaps you are a mechanic who could fix someone's car or change the oil. Are you a teacher? Maybe you could tutor someone with a special need.

 

When you give what you have, there is no limit to what you can do. And that's what Christmas is all about, for God gave what He had. He demonstrated the grace of giving when He gave His only begotten Son.

 

Life response: I will seek to "excel in the grace of giving."