“And I was a constant example to you in helping the poor; for I remembered the words of the Lord Jesus, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35 The Living Bible)
It is that time of the year when there is a lot of gift-giving and a lot of gift-receiving. And even if one’s means does not allow for shopping as much as they want or if they seldom receive gifts, there is still an invasion of minds related to gift-giving and gift-receiving. Thus, this morning I want to provide you with a free giving and receiving therapy session.
First, let’s mention giving. Luke 6:38 (Look it up!) starts with the word “Give,” so giving, whether giving tangible or intangible gifts is something we should do. The opening verse above lets us know that it is more blessed to give than to receive. That should lessen our focus on receiving, which usually is in first place of our held in desires and decrease the anxiousness that comes with wondering what we are going to get or should get. It should also lesson our disappointment because we discern giving to be more important than getting.
Now, let’s look at receiving as I share some advice that will hopefully eliminate disappointed faces and eradicate disgruntlement regarding the gift(s) you actually do receive.
Listen to this! Every single one of my children can walk you through this “therapeutic session” as it relates to receiving. I used it on them and some of them are using it on their children and even grandchildren in one case. Yes, I’m a young “Great-Grandfather!” Smile! “Laugh!” Now stop chuckling! That was too much giggling!’
Here is how the receiving therapy goes that I used with my offspring. Start by saying, “Put out your empty hand. What do you see? Right! You only see your hand, empty.” Next, put a mickle in the person’s hand. Then follow up with these words, “When you receive a gift of any type placed in your hand, realize it is no longer empty. Realize that at first you had nothing and now you have something that you never had before. And even if you had “one” like it, you didn’t have that new one.” If the individual you are talking, be it a child or an adult; if he/she is still looking disappointed, continue teaching by saying, “Be thankful! Be genuinely thankful that you were thought of, loved enough to get a gift. Be thankful that your hand is no longer empty. Receive gifts with gratitude for the generosity that has been shown you. Don’t you dare complain!”
Now, let me get back to the giving therapy part, because I don’t want to give the impression that the right receiving attitude should govern our giving or justify giving the least or giving nothing. Please note that giving should be done with some thought behind your selection of the gift. It can be within your monetary means, but don’t just by anything.
More receiving therapy before I finish writing: Don’t forget the therapeutic exercise above that I used with my children when you receive a gift. Apply it to your receiving. Whatever you receive, remember your hand is no longer empty like it was before. Be thankful!
Finally, move from thinking about earthly giving and transition to focusing on heavenly giving. Stop reading and do something that provides more therapy, call it self-therapy. Say to yourself, “You can’t beat God’ s giving!”
The therapeutic session is over, in theory. Now you must put it into practice, and when the opportunity comes, provide some therapy for your young ones you are discipling. I know you are disciplining! How do I know? I know because Jesus commissioned you to make disciples. Didn’t He? Heave as wonderful day in part of this wonderful time of the year; wonderful because we are celebrating the First Advent of Christ! Be blessed!
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King