God Loves a Cheerful Giver

This is described as the most wonderful time of the year. For many, the focus is not on the greatest gift of all. For some, the focus is on tangible, perishable gifts. Just a month ago, folks geared up to snag all the Black Friday deals they could in preparation for the great gift exchange. I couldn’t help but think about different instances of shopping when I was growing up. People would not appreciate some of these gifts that folks put all their energy into buying. Purchasing something during this season automatically came with a gift receipt in case anyone didn’t like what they got and needed to return or exchange it. 

That of course made me think about a different type of gift giving-receiving experience. Do we all put the same kind of energy into our faith and our offerings to God? Probably not, right? So, why not? I often believe it’s because we make an assumption that any ol’ thing will do. Our journey doesn’t start out that way. It’s a bit like how we tend to treat one another. In the beginning, nothing but the best is good enough. Sometimes, not even that is truly enough. Those gifts are well thought out and nothing short of perfection. Over time, that enthusiasm begins to wane. Perfect begins to slide a little. Now, those perfect gifts slid toward pretty good. Pretty good turns into reasonable or decent. Then the slide continues downward until it’s essentially non-existent. We’ve all probably experienced a gift or two where we were able to feel the lack of concern or enthusiasm of the gift giver. As such, why is that an energy we match when it comes to our spiritual lives?

We know what it’s like to feel like an afterthought. Especially in the realm of receiving gifts. Truly, if we have ever been in a situation where we are buying gifts for loved ones, our all goes in to making sure it’s something they will cherish and value. That is the same thing we should do with our faith life. Whatever we offer to God, even if it’s our time, should be the absolute best. Since I mentioned time, if that’s what you are offering, let it belong to him. Let that time you’ve set aside be uninterrupted, totally devoted, and undivided attention all for him. Don’t then use that time and space for everything else and devote only a minute or two. Let it be the best possible offering. Afterall, that’s what we want from him, right? I pray that you have a beautiful and blessed holiday season. Remember, we can’t best God when it comes to giving. But that shouldn’t stop us from offering him our best.

Stay Sunny!

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