Exchanging Gifts

At Christmas time, we are usually in our most generous state of mind. We want to give gifts and want to give generously to the needy. But even then, selfishness creeps below the surface sometimes. We begin to think about how the gift will be received and whether we will get appropriate recognition for the gifts. Jesus taught us a better way to do good without expecting anything in return.

In Luke 6:35-36 Jesus teaches, “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” People tend to be selfish, even when we are trying to do good things for others. Jesus taught that we should do good without expecting anything in return. When we do good unselfishly, God will greatly reward us. Giving mercy to those who hurt us is one way of giving unselfishly, as demonstrated by God’s mercy toward us.

Enriched

God has a storehouse of blessings awaiting those who trust in Him. His grace is sufficient for our every need and His steadfast love is always available to those who call upon Him. However, God expects us not to hoard these blessings, but rather we should share them with others. If we are generous with the blessings that God gives us, He promises to enrich our souls.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” The person who is generous with their time, talent, and treasures will receive much more from the Lord. The people who encourage and refresh others will be lifted up and renewed by the Lord.

Transformed

Sometimes, we can look at something and not truly understand the glory of the thing we are looking at. This can be true with a work of art. Until we are given information about the art piece, we may not fully appreciate its beauty and craftsmanship. We can look at the sky and not comprehend that we are looking at thousands of stars and galaxies beyond our sight. We can have the same experience with truth. We can hear or read true statements but not fully understand their meanings until it is explained to us.

II Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Before believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, our hearts were veiled from understanding the saving knowledge of Jesus. Now the veil has been removed and we can understand truth and behold the glory of God. Thus unveiled, we are transformed over time to become more like Him.

Unity, Despite Differences

I have been in leadership positions on the job and in various organizations. I have learned that meetings can effectively divide people and impede progress. When differing opinions are held, leadership can become divided. A shared vision and mission can help smooth those differences, but something more is needed. The leadership team needs to develop individual attributes that contribute to unity.

Ephesians 4:2-6 says, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” True believers are called to unity with one another, bearing with one another in love. We are one body, just as our faith and hope is one, trusting in the one God who is over all and through all. We must ask the Father and Holy Spirit to build humility, gentleness, patience and love within us. And we must hold onto the one faith and hope that we have in Jesus Christ.

Foolishly Boasting

Most of our boasting about ourselves is pure foolishness. We often forget about those who helped and supported us in our achievements. It is like the football player who scores a touchdown and immediately goes into an elaborate and showy celebration on the field. He has forgotten the linemen who blocked, the quarterback who threw the pass, and the coaches who called the right play. Just like we forget to honor the God who gave us the abilities to achieve and put us in the position to achieve.

I Corinthians 1:28-29 says, “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” When we feel low and ashamed, we remember that God knows our shame and still has chosen us. God will lift us up from our low state and make us shine in His glory. We should then remember to thank Him and praise Him for what He has done.