Loving Well: Gifts, various text

Loving Well: Gifts

Various Texts

Gifts as Love

• Gifts can be a visual representation of love
  • Don’t mistake this love language for materialism
• The receiver of gifts thrives on the thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift
  • “It’s the thought that counts.”
• The perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift

 

God as the Lover

• Scripture is filled with examples of God as a giver (Jas 1:17)
• Grace is one of God’s defining attributes (Ps. 116:5; 145:8)
  • Grace: A free, unmerited gift
• God gives physical life (Gen. 2:7)
  • And through Jesus, eternal life (John 6:27)
• God gives us His Son (John 3:16; Mark 10:45)
  • And with Him, everything else (Rom. 8:32)
• God gives us His Spirit (Luke 11:13; John 3:34)
  • So that He do His work in and through us (Acts 1:8)

 

Our Gifts of Love to God

• Giving of our money, which shows where our priorities lie (Matt. 6:21)
• Using the gifts that He has given us to glorify Him
  • Both ‘natural’ talents & spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-6)
• Every gift is given to be shared! (1Co 12:7)

 

Loving One Another

• A thoughtful gift can transform someone’s day
  • It shows that they are known by you
• It is not about the monetary cost
  • It is about showing the value you place in someone by the sacrificial act
• Gifts are also about making sure that the physical needs of others are met (Jas. 2:15-16)

 

Loving Our Community

• Helping meet the basic needs of our neighbors
• Being known for our generosity

 

So What?

• Are we expressing love through giving?
  • Realigning our priorities
  • Seeing needs and meeting them
  • Showing our thoughtfulness to others
  • Giving away what we have received

 

Meditation Verse: James 1:17