Gift Giving

Tonight's focus:  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.


The way I am interrupting this verse today is more in the realm of  gift giving and the reasons we give to others. (I know that probably isn't the traditional break down of this verse, but I think scripture can be interpreted in different ways. And I think it can be perceived differently based on the message we need to hear. )I think this is important to think about during the Christmas season of giving. 


Giving to others is great, especially when you are giving to those who are truly in need. But we need to evaluate why we are giving.


If we are giving just to be going through the holiday motions, that is lacking love.
If we are giving to show off to the recipient, that is not being done with love.
If we are being charitable and boasting about it to get some good PR, then the love is sucked out of the gift. 
If we are giving in hopes that we will receive something back, then we are not showing selfless love. 


God knows our inner intentions. He is hoping that we are giving to others to spread love and goodwill to others. We should have no self motives for giving. So if we are giving, but do not have love in our hearts when we do it...we are not in tune with God's desires for us. 


So I am challenging myself and you this Christmas season to give gifts with love! If you don't, you really don't have anything at all.


Until next time...