“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord comes. See how the farmer waits patiently for the fall and spring rains, for the land to produce its precious crops. You too, be patient and steadfast, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7-8, NIV).
We live in a society that thrives on the materialism of gifts. The bigger and more expensive the better. This makes gift-giving a disappointing, stressful and anxiety-filled experience. As Christians, we recognize that there is more to gift-giving than the commercialism that often accompanies it. God is a gift to us. We must give to others in return. Like most people, I love the gift buying experience this time of year. Still, it’s also important to maintain a realistic perspective and remember that Christmas isn’t all about presents.
Biblical basis for gifts
The basis of gifts goes back to the Old Testament. Generosity was first introduced through the laws and commandments of the Israelites. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (NIV) says, “But when you arrive in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and there are poor Israelites in your town, do not be hard-hearted or harsh towards them; but be generous and give them whatever they need.”
This passage teaches us that there are two important aspects of generosity. It is an open heart and a willingness to share with others in need. The Lord instructed the Israelites to not only take care of their own community, but also to give to those in need who were struggling.
The New Testament also discusses generosity. Jesus was selfless and challenged society’s normal view of wealth and possessions.
Luke 6:38 (New Translation of the Bible) says, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will be pushed down full, shaken together to make room for more, run up, poured into your lap, and come back to you. The amount you give determines the amount you will receive back.”
These verses show that giving and generosity are highly valued by God.
Understand the heart behind the gift
When we give gifts as Christians, we need to understand the heart behind the gift. This helps influence how the recipient perceives the attitude behind the gift and how it aligns with Christianity.
● Gifts as expressions of love: Gifts should primarily be acts of love, both for the recipient and as an expression of worship for God. When people give gifts, generosity fosters deeper connections and a stronger sense of community.
● Avoiding manipulation and obligation: A true gift has no agenda or expectations. When people manipulate or create a sense of responsibility, the gift becomes inauthentic. We should examine our hearts for ulterior motives and strive to give out of pure love.
● Recognize the needs of others: Giving generously as a Christian requires being attuned to the needs of others. Recognizing the struggles of others allows us to give more meaningfully through acts of service and kindness rather than material things.
The attitude Christians should take when making donations
Some of the attitudes we should have when giving include:
● Humility
● Fun
●Feeling of gratitude
● Give unconditionally.
gifts as an expression of love
● How gifts can reflect the love of Christ and strengthen relationships.
gifts and community spirit
When believers give gifts, we affirm each other’s values and commitments. Gifts are more than just physical gifts. A lot goes into choosing, preparing, and presenting a gift. This takes a lot of time and thought to make it as personal as possible. This personal act of love and respect strengthens bonds within the community. Giving a gift helps our community in many ways, including:
● Building emotional connections: Memories are created when believers exchange gifts, and shared experiences contribute to a collaborative narrative in the community.
● Shared values and collective identity: When believers participate in philanthropy and community celebrations, they become part of the bigger picture and strengthen a sense of belonging rooted in mutual support, common faith, and collective goals.
● Strengthening community ties through service: Service, volunteering, and community service are gifts to the community. thus strengthening community bonds.
● The impact of gifts on community resilience: Gifts, whether physical, emotional or moral support, impact everyone in a community and help promote community resilience and closer bonds.
The dangers of materialism in gifts
We live in a society that promotes materialism at all times of the year, but especially during the Christmas season. Advertisements bombard us everywhere, making us think that owning more things will make us happier, which in turn makes us spend money on more expensive things. This is dangerous because it can lead to social pressures, economic pressures, or ruin. Focusing on materialism can lead to a variety of problems, including:
● Affects relationships: When people focus on the price of a gift rather than its meaning, the emotional connection weakens. Focusing on costs instead of strengthening bonds fosters resentment and disappointment. This is especially true if one party feels obligated to reciprocate with an equally lavish gift.
● Surface over substance: Choosing a gift based on price makes the exchange transactional rather than meaningful. Superficial gifts can lead to feelings of obligation rather than gratitude.
● Emotional impact: Givers may feel pressured to give extravagant gifts, leading to stress and anxiety, which can reduce joy. Depending on the amount of the gift, the recipient may feel guilty or feel inadequate. The feeling of having to give something back as much as an expensive gift creates an unbalanced power relationship.
How do you balance your gifting power?
By considering these factors, you can balance the dynamics of your gift.
● Prioritize experiences over things.
● Welcome handmade personalized gifts
● Encourage acts of kindness.
● Communicate openly about gift preferences.
Alternative gifts: experiences over possessions
Giving experiences rather than possessions is a great way to expand your loved one’s world and has many benefits, including:
● Creating memories that will last forever
● Foster connections.
● Reduce clutter and environmental impact
● Personalization and consideration
Types of experience gifts
Here are some ideas for experiential gifts.
● Hot air balloon ride
● Hiking adventure
● Weekend vacation
● Classes and workshops
● Consider gourmet experiences like food tours, wine tastings, and fine dining reservations.
● Yoga retreat
● Spa Days
● Christian meditation workshop
● Tickets for concerts and plays
● Museum and aquarium tickets
● Zoo tickets
● A room in a luxury hotel
sustainable and ethical gifts
Another type of gift to consider that is more personal is a gift that reflects God’s stewardship of creation. Principles of ethical giving include:
● Know your company: Be sure to check where your company sources your gifts and support brands that prioritize sustainability, ethical practices, and supply chain transparency.
● Prioritize local artists and businesses: God created us with all kinds of gifts and talents. So please support local artists and businesses. Purchase a painting by a local artist, a new book by a local author, or an independent candy store. This reduces our carbon footprint and, in most cases, local products use local ingredients, which remind us of God’s creation all around us. For example, local bakeries source their eggs from local farmers.
● Experiences over things: Give experiences instead of things.
● Choose eco-friendly products: Look for products made from bamboo, organic fabrics, recycled materials, and more.
● Support a charity or cause-related gift: For example, if you know someone who loves cats, get them merchandise like sweatshirts or coffee mugs from your local cat cafe. Proceeds will help care for the cats and give your loved one a wonderful gift.
Celebrating the Gift of Jesus: The Ultimate Gift
This is also a time for us to reflect on our ultimate gift, Jesus, and all that He has done for us. During this season of giving, read your Bible regularly and share the gospel when you have the opportunity. Sharing the gift of Jesus with others is a very meaningful gift during this time.
Gifts are more than material things. It’s the idea and meaning behind it that makes all the difference.
Photo credit: Juliana Malta/Unsplash
Carrie Laurence is a freelance writer and author. Her work has been featured in Crosswalk, iBelieve, Huffington Post, and The Penny Hoarder. She is also the author of three children’s books, three pretty romance books, one romance novel, three poetry collections, and one nonfiction book. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and spending time with her husband and cute cat, Cupcake. For more information about Carrie and her writing, please visit www.carrielowrance.com.
