Remember “Tickle Me Elmo”? or the “Cabbage Patch Kids? or “Furby”? What do they have in common? Each rank among the twenty most popular Christmas gifts of all time. Also included on the list are familiar favorites such as Monopoly, the Nintendo Game Boy, and Wii.
Can you remember any of the favorite gifts you gave someone you loved? To be honest, I can always remember some special gifts I’ve given over the years. I remember a particular amber-colored vase I gave my mom when I was just a boy, a long time ago. I don’t remember the occasion but I remember thinking it was the most beautiful vase I had ever seen and I was so excited to give it to my mom. I can also remember some favorite gifts I’ve given Mary, my children, and grandchildren. I can still see the joy on Mary’s face when I gave her a trip to Hawaii one year. I always remember some favorite knives I’ve given my close friends over the years. How about you? I’m sure you can remember some gifts given that brought you extra joy. Do they still bring you joy? Sure, they do!
What are the favorite gifts you have given to someone else? Think not just of the physical gifts you have given but of the spiritual or emotional gifts, and especially the gift of friendship and love.
Tickle Me Elmo, Cabbage Patch Kids (I remember the Christmas Mary got up and stood in line in Wheaton Plaza to be among the few who got a couple of them for our girls), Furby, Pocket Knives and all the rest pale in comparison with giving cheerfully and generously to the Lord.
We all delight in giving gifts at birthdays, Christmas, or on special occasions but I hope we can also remember the delight in giving our gifts to the Lord. When we give cheerfully (hilariously) to the church there is never a moment of regret or sorrow and in fact we get back more than we ever gave. When we give generously to the church, we not only feel great joy; we enable great ministry.
The beauty of giving cheerfully and generously, whether to those we love or to the church, is that we always get back more than we gave. This principle even applies to gifts given to strangers when the spirit is right!
Blessings to you for the special gifts you give to our church and may they bring you more joy than you can imagine!