The Heart of Gift-Giving

What makes a great gift-giver? Is it having money, knowing the latest trends, or shopping at your friends’ favorite store?

The great Reformer Martin Luther once said, “The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious.” How can we cultivate a heart that joyfully gives to others to the glory of God?

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;” Romans 12:10

The biblical gift-giver is devoted to loving others because of God’s love for us! God chose to love us not because of our greatness or anything we could give Him, but simply out of His perfect love and will. Understanding God’s great love leads us to love Him, which outpours into a love for our friends (1 John 4:11)! When we are motivated by a love for God, we can give sacrificially and unconditionally to our friends, not basing our gifts on their merit or what they have done for us. We don’t have to wait for a special occasion, but we should always have an attitude of giving preference and regarding others as more important than ourselves (Philippians 2:3)!

The biblical gift-giver cherishes their friends and reflects God’s love for them! Consider how God has intentionally made each and every person and is actively causing all things to work together for good to those who love Him (Psalm 139, Romans 8)! Giving gifts is just one way to show love to your friend and share in the unique ways God is working in their life!

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17

The Christian gift-giver can first recognize that before we are gift-givers, we are God’s gift-recipients! Anything that we can give to others pales in comparison to the gifts God has given us.

God has granted many unmerited gifts to the Christian: salvation (Romans 6:23), the help of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26-27), adoption as God’s children (Romans 8:15), gifts to serve the church (Ephesians 4:7), and so much more! In fact, “every good thing given and every perfect gift” is from God, who gives out of His unchanging and perfect character (James 1:17). As our sovereign and loving Father, He knows what is best for our lives and graciously gives us even more than we can ask or think.

Meditating on God’s abundant grace toward us compels us to give thanks in “whatever we do in word or deed” (Colossians 3:17)! When it comes specifically to our gift-giving, we have the opportunity to give out of thanksgiving to God for all the gifts He has given us!

“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35b

Biblical generosity is not measured by monetary value but reflects and responds to the generosity of God! Not only did Christ teach that it is a blessing to give, but He Himself came “to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). If God gave even His own Son, what confidence and comfort we have in His generosity and grace toward us (Romans 8:32)! God’s generosity isn’t based on what we can give Him, but it is His nature to be generous.

Looking to God’s gracious generosity towards us spurs us on in giving freely, joyfully, and sacrificially to others! The Christian can see that it is a blessing to give, not giving gifts under obligation, expecting repayment, or while seeking to earn a reputation. Instead, the Christian is satisfied in pleasing the Lord, who loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7)! As we remember how much we have been given by the Lord, what a joy it is to share what we have with others!