A Lesson in Gift Giving

"For God so loved the world, He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

This Christmas season, our family has the opportunity to purchase gifts, food, and essentials for a family in need.  I love doing things like this!  I had so much fun the other day going to the store with the list of items their family could use!  I worked myself down the list; carefully selected each item, trying to find the very best thing.  However, when my shopping trip started, a thought entered my head.  "What if I buy these things and the family doesn't take care of them?  Should I really pick out the best, or should I spend a little less and get the cheapest alternative?  What if, on the first day they have these toys, they loose the pieces or break it?  Should I really buy the nicest things if there is a chance the family may not appreciate the gift?  I sat debating for a bit and then God spoke to me.

How did Christ give to me?  The Father did not stop to debate with Himself or second guess the precious gift of His only Son.  God did not ask, "What if I send Jesus and My gift is not appreciated?  What if people squander the gift of My Son, mistreat Him, take advantage of Him?  What if instead of accepting the gift of My son, they reject Him?  God never asked these questions.  In fact, He already knew these things were going to happen to His Son..........and yet He gave anyway.  He gave willinging.   He gave everything.  He gave His very best.  He did not hold back!

God had given me an opportunity to be His hands and feet.  To give to others as He has given to me.  It was not my job to figure out if this family will appreciate the gifts or take care of them.  It really doesn't matter.  What matters, is the opportunity to give like my heavenly Father gave to me.  My thoughts changed from, "will they take care of this" to "if I was buying for my own children, what would I want them to have?  What is the best I can get for them?"  How much fun it was to give as much as we could and to give the best we could! 

It was a wonderful reminder of what my Father has given to me.  I am in awe of His gift!  So much love He has for me and for each on of us, that He would give His best, His only Son, to die on a cross (already knowing our weaknesses and our sins) so that each one of us may live!