Gift Giver or Receiver: If you can only pick one

As we come out of a season of being thankful and a time of sales and purchases, what are your thoughts on gifts? Would you prefer to give a gift or receive a gift? If you could only pick one of the two options and throw out the other option, which would you choose? Gift Giver? Gift Receiver?

What a Gift Giver should look like:

Giving should be done with a cheerful heart and without any expectation of return. Similarly, it is also important to give without seeking recognition or praise from others. The act of giving should be done with humility and sincerity.

Scripture examples:

• 2 Corinthians 9:7 which says “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
• Matthew 6:3-4 which says “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

What a Gift Receiver should look like:

Remember that every good gift comes from God. We should be grateful for them. Therefore, it is also important to receive gifts with humility and grace, without any sense of entitlement or expectation.

Scripture examples:

• Matthew 7:11 which says “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
• James 1:17 which says “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Which is Better?

Firstly, it would appear that even though Jesus does say it is better to give than receive, there isn’t any specific reference that says it is better to be a giver than receiver. Secondly, it just means that it is better to share than to gain more. Thirdly, to gain the benefits of giving, we have to be doing it willingly without any expectation of getting something back in return. Fourthly, it is also important to give without seeking recognition or praise from others. Finally, the act of giving should be done with humility and sincerity.

Reasons why it is more blessed to give than to receive.

• Obeys God’s Command
• Submits to God’s Lordship
• Exhibits God’s Heart
• Illustrates God’s Salvation
• Trusts God’s Provision
• Widens God’s Smile
• Advances God’s Kingdom
• Promotes God’s Sanctification
• Testifies to God’s Power
• Praises God’s Character

Today’s Verse of the Day:

Therefore, let’s be the dads who realize we didn’t do it by ourselves and that we aren’t all that and humbly turn to God. Moreover, let’s be the dads who live knowing and showing that we’ve been save by God’s grace, His remarkable compassion and favor drawing us to Jesus through faith. Furthermore, let’s be the dads who know we didn’t do anything or deserve this salvation because it was a gift given by God even though we don’t deserve it and is just God’s grace that has opened this door or opportunity.

How can we put today’s verse of the day into action to answer the call of God on our lives to be the dads in ways that will bless and meet the needs of our wives and kids? What can it tell us and show us about living life to the full in ways that take care of our families and bless God?

Applications of Ephesians 2:8 towards being the dads God is calling us to be and stepping up to be the giver of good gifts to our families:

• Model Gratitude: Show gratitude to God for the gift of salvation and express thankfulness for the family He has blessed you with. Teach your children the value of gratitude through your example.
• Teach Humility: Understand that salvation is a gift and not something earned. Likewise, recognize that being a father is a privilege and responsibility granted by God. Cultivate humility in your parenting approach.
• Emphasize Grace: Just as God’s grace is freely given, extend grace to your family members. Allow room for mistakes, forgive readily, and create an atmosphere of love and acceptance.
• Encourage Faith: Teach your children the importance of faith in God. Help them understand that, just as we trust in God’s gift of salvation, we can trust in His provision and guidance in our daily lives.
• Value Relationships: Emphasize the importance of relationships over material possessions. Gifts of time, love, and attention can be more meaningful than material offerings.
• Prioritize Family Unity: Recognize that salvation is not an individualistic concept. Similarly, prioritize unity within your family. Encourage open communication, understanding, and support among family members.
• Demonstrate Sacrificial Love: As God sacrificially gave His Son for our salvation, exemplify sacrificial love in your role as a father. Put your family’s needs above your own and make personal sacrifices for their well-being.
• Promote a Godly Legacy: Ephesians 2:8 underscores that salvation is a gift from God. Likewise, consider the legacy you are leaving for your children. Aim to instill strong values, faith, and a sense of purpose in their lives.
• Nurture Spiritual Growth: Recognize that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. Foster an environment that encourages your family members to grow in their faith, just as we continue to grow in our understanding of God’s grace.
• Express Unconditional Love: God’s gift of salvation is unconditional. Similarly, express unconditional love to your family members. Let them know that your love is not based on their achievements but is a constant, unwavering presence in their lives.

How to model God’s love into our families through gift giving:

In summary, applying Ephesians 2:8 in your role as a father involves modeling gratitude, teaching humility, emphasizing grace, encouraging faith, prioritizing relationships, demonstrating sacrificial love, promoting a godly legacy, nurturing spiritual growth, and expressing unconditional love. By incorporating these principles, you can strive to be the father that God is calling you to be and, in doing so, become a giver of good gifts to your family.