Giving or Exchanging?

   A few years ago, I used to work in sales for a small tool company near Chicago. Every December, the owner of the company would host a Christmas party for employees and their spouses. As events go, this was your average ‘run-of-the-mill’ Office Christmas party. A nice dinner, games, friendly conversation, and a gift exchange near the end. Everyone who wanted to be a part of the exchange had to bring a wrapped present that didn’t cost more than a set amount. We then drew numbers to see who would go first. When it came around to our turn, we picked a present under the tree and opened it. If we didn’t like the gift, we had the opportunity to take one of the presents of someone who went before us. This continued until all the presents were opened. As you can imagine, by the time we got to the end, some were satisfied with what they received while others were not so fortunate. For entertainment purposes, this event went well. But we never left there thinking to ourselves, ‘Wow, that was so thoughtful and loving of them to think of us in that way.’ The reason is because the gifts weren’t given with that sentiment. We didn’t put any love or care behind the gifts that we purchased. We couldn’t because we never knew who would end up with our gift.

   Sadly though, too many presents are exchanged each year while very few gifts are actually given. What do I mean? We sit around decorated trees and give gifts to friends and family, as we open up their gifts to us. In other words, we spend thousands of dollars each Christmas giving to people who will in turn give us a gift right back. This isn’t giving. It’s trading!

   This isn’t what Jesus meant when He said ‘It is more blessed to give than receive.’ (Acts 20:35). Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the generosity and thoughtfulness of others. There has been numerous times throughout my life where God has blessed me through their gifts. And I’m sure most of you could say the same about someone else. I’m not even saying that exchanging gifts is wrong. I do it with friends and family as well. But we shouldn’t confuse exchanging gifts with giving gifts. Furthermore, what’s your motivation for giving presents? Are you harboring any hidden motives within your gifts? Do you genuinely give presents, or are they given with strings (conditions) attached to them.  

    Jesus said, “…When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴ and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12b-14 NIV

     In essence, Jesus said give gifts to those who have no way of paying you back. Give without any expectations or ulterior motives. Notice, He didn’t say you will never be repaid for your generosity. But God would have us wait until heaven…then He will repay us with eternal gifts. I don’t know about you, but I think I’d rather be repaid by Him than receive from someone here on earth a year’s subscription to ‘The Jelly of the Month Club’ (see ‘Christmas Vacation’ for reference).

   In all seriousness, why don’t you make plans this year to give to someone who can’t possibly repay you? This is when you’ll experience the true blessing of giving.

…Merry Christmas, my friend.