Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
– 1 John 4:8
Christmas is around the corner, but don’t despair if you're still looking for that perfect gift for that someone special. After all, there are plenty of options out there, as your next visit to Amazon.com will confirm. But with money particularly tight these days, every purchase must count. Whatever you choose, it should be a gift that makes an impression — without overspending. It’s best to maximize the bang for your buck.
There's nothing wrong with trying to stretch a dollar. But maybe a gift's real value has much more to do with the meaning and person behind it than its Low Everyday Walmart price.
That's certainly the case if we're to believe the Bible. So what does it say
about the characteristics of a good gift? And more to the point, what does Scripture tell us about being a good gift-giver? We can find the answers through its vivid portrayals of Jesus related to the issues of living, relationships and love.
It's from Christ's example that we learn to give with an attitude of generosity: one that exceeds what we expect to receive. Our gifts should also affirm the value of the recipient. But most importantly, our gifts — whatever they may be — should be given out of love.
The Bible doesn't say that an Apple iPhone is a better gift than a bicycle or a sweater. But the same principles apply. And what we also learn is that when it comes to gift-giving, it really IS the thought that counts.
Christmas is straight ahead ... and time is running out. But before we log on to Amazon, tune into the Home Shopping Network or even drive to the mall, let's follow the examples of Jesus, who was and is the ultimate gift-giver. His greatest present was the salvation he bought for us through his death on the cross. It was an incredibly valuable gift that we can never repay. It was also given out of love. And it's free and available to anyone who's willing to untie the bow and open the package.
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