Are you a giver or a taker?
Which gives you more pleasure? Being a person with a gracious heart and an attitude of giving or someone who is always looking for something to gain from someone else?
When I was younger and it came time for Christmas, my birthday, or some special occasion, I would always count on a gift from my parents. It did not have to be a big gift or a valuable gift, but I will never forget the joy on their face as they handed it to me. It always pleased them to see the excitement that it brought me and the graciousness which I received it with. It did not really matter what the gift was, but it was that I was remembered by them on the spe-cial occasion.
As I grew into adulthood, I became the giver instead of the taker and to see the joy on the faces of my children was worth more than any gift I could ever receive. Their happiness meant so much to my wife and myself. Most parents seem to want the best for their children and hope that it teaches them it is better to give than to receive.
The greatest gift I ever received from my parents was the knowledge of Jesus Christ. They taught me of His love for me and all that I had to do to receive His love was to acknowledge my sins and confess them to Him and receive Him into my heart. I did this at the age of 12 and my dependence on our Lord and Savior has never wavered. This is not to say that I have not wandered away from Him because I have. His gift of eternal life to me has always been first and foremost in all that I do, and, on the times, I wander away He always forgives me when I ask Him to. He gave me the greatest gift ever given to anyone, and that was himself, so that I, and you, could have eternal life with Him when He calls us home.
I have found that giving is so much better than receiving. There are so many ways to give of yourself, your time, your money, but no one can out give our Lord and Savior as He gave himself on a cruel cross that our sins would be forgiven if we go to Him and ask for forgiveness.
It always gave me great pleasure to see the smiles on the faces of my children when I gave them gifts. But, let me say it does not have to be just family or friends that you do something for. I have done this, and I have received the blessing of this, but as you go through a drive thru fast-food line pay for the food of the car behind you. It will bless them, and it will bless your heart knowing that they may in turn pay if forward to someone else. Be a giver always when you can.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for the opportunities that you have provided me to give to someone else. Thank you for blessing me so that I can do this in your name. Amen.
