The Joy of Giving

Something special always stirs up inside us whenever we freely and wholeheartedly give something to someone especially those objects of affection with sentimental value that we give to those whom we love.

I would like to think that it is because of this love for others more than for ourselves that we find joy in lifting up their spirits and seeing them smile when they receive gifts from us.

A few weeks ago, I gave my mother a gift for her birthday, something that I have not done before nor had the capacity to do but I did because I wanted to show her how special she is and how much I love and appreciate her in my life.

The feeling was indescribable but when I saw her happy with the gift, I felt relieved and at peace because I believe my mother knew at that moment how much I value her and how precious her life is.

The Bible tells us that God gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, so that we might have eternal life and He did so because He loves us and He wants to have a relationship with us so that He can fulfill His promise of giving us an abundant and meaningful life.

I always look back to God's example of selfless love when He gave Jesus to us, the greatest sacrifice that the world has witnessed. There is no greater love than this.

Now, because Jesus gave Himself up for us, our joy is complete and we have been made right with God the Father which is in itself a blessing and a fulfillment of God's promise.

Remember that the amount that you give to someone and especially to God does not matter because God looks at the heart and if you are truly sincere with what you give, then I can assure you that you will be blessed with joy and peace.

For Jesus has said that it is much blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35) and it is written in the Bible that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Therefore, always give what has been set out in your heart to give, not in part, but in whole because there is much joy in giving!