A family excitedly gathers around the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Each one notices that no gifts are under the tree. Mom tells her son that she had bought him a new bicycle but decided to keep it for herself. The daughter tells her mom that she had found a beautiful bouquet of flowers for the mom but decided that the flowers looked very good in her own room. The father explains to his daughter that he had crafted a wonderful doll house for her but decided that the quality was so good that he could sell it for a good price. The son tells his father that he had purchased an expensive watch for his father but had lost it on the way home from the store. If true, this story would be about the saddest Christmas that I have ever heard. Ungiven gifts are not really gifts at all.
Proverbs 25:14 says, “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.” Through His grace, God has given each of us gifts. Some gifts are the talents and abilities He gives us. Other gifts include physical resources and loving relationships. He gives us these gifts so that we will honor Him in praise, but also so that we can benefit others by using our gifts to serve them.
Reluctant Retiree 