Giving Gifts

What is a gift?

Favor or item bestowed on someone

A gift does not have attachments

A gift always costs the giver, but not the receiver

A gift is not in the item, but in the act

Matthew 2:11 NASB95

11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

1 Samuel 25:27 NASB95

27 “Now let this gift which your maidservant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who accompany my lord.

Luke 21:1 NASB95

1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury.

Why do we give gifts?

To express our love or appreciation

To gain favor

To get something in return

Because we feel obligated

Proverbs 19:6 NASB95

6 Many will seek the favor of a generous man, And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.

Proverbs 18:16 NASB95

16 A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.

Acts 20:35 NASB95

35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Is giving gifts wrong?

Only if given with wrong motives

Luke 6:38 NASB95

38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

God gave and gives gifts

Numbers 8:19 NASB95

19 “I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the sons of Israel, to perform the service of the sons of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement on behalf of the sons of Israel, so that there will be no plague among the sons of Israel by their coming near to the sanctuary.”

Psalm 127:3 NASB95

3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Romans 11:29 NASB95

29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

John 3:16 NASB95

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Romans 6:23 NASB95

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:24 NASB95

24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

Ephesians 2:8 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

Acts 2:38 NASB95

38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What is the greatest gift you can ever give?

Your Heart