2. Gift Giving The Negatives of gift giving
“Materialistic”
“Capitalist”
“perpetuating a wrongful Christmas”
People will find fault with anything!
Tired of finding fault
Phil 4:8 “8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” NIV

3. Biblical Gift Giving Series- Christmas Gifts
Last week: God gave us the ultimate gift
Eternal Life
Today: Biblical Gift Giving
Next week: When we receive a gift we didn’t want or ask for
Christmas Day: How to receive a gift

4. Mt 2: 10 When they (the Magi) saw the star, they were overjoyed
Mt 2: 10 When they (the Magi) saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. NIV

5. 1. Biblical Gift Giving Honors the Recipient
“they bowed down and worshiped him.”
Who do you “honor?”
Not a common practice in America.
We have leveled every position

6. 2. Biblical Gift Giving Should Represent an Investment on Your Part
“Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
The dollar amount should represent how significant the recipient is to you
Time to consider it
Sacrifice involved in giving it

7. 3. Biblical Gift Giving Should Fit Into the Recipients Life
gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gold; befitting a King
Frankincense; a burial spice
Myrrh- given to Jesus on the cross
Fit into it; not expected to be prophetic
Guide it
Most enjoyable gifts I’ve given
Model A
Puzzle
Baseball Trip

8. 4. Biblical Giving isn’t Driven by Whether the Recipient Will Like It (But you hope so!)
Myrrh? Death representation! For a baby?
The Question is: “What do you want to give?”
Your role in the person’s life
Tools?
What is the “right thing” to give?
Treating everyone the same vs the right thing

9. 5. Biblical Giving Expects Nothing in Return
they returned to their country…
To our knowledge Jesus
Never encountered the Magi again
Maintained no relationship
Never knew about the gifts that were given
Gold may have financed Jesus’ ministry
Spices may have been in Mary’s home, kept until His death

10. Giving Is Gratifying! Fun! It is meaningful
It works in (warms) your heart
It feels right
Generosity is a concept taught throughout the Bible

11. About Lists Lists have their place Christian Ministries produce gifts
Woman who was burned by husband;
Children need sponsored
Bicycle for a Pastor
The Gift becomes a provision
It is advisable to know the recipient so well that you know what sort of gift fits them
I always give my family something NOT on their list

12. Consider God’s Gift God honored you
God gave a gift that cost Him dearly
God’s gift “fits you.”
God’s gift was given whether you valued it or not
You cannot possibly pay God back for the gift
But you can respond with a gift if you choose

13. My Private Experience Serve Now banquet Indian Pastor; Bicycle-
I’ve been there to see the need
Giving is automatic (wife)
I never see it; never costs ME!
Every paycheck I get spending money
I set aside money from that so that it costs “me”
I cared about it
Before sabbatical went into Lars’ office
Envelopes of cash; counted it out

14. So What? Choose a recipient Ask yourself what they need
A family member
A homeless person
A neighbor
A Christian ministry
Ask yourself what they need
Ask yourself what you want to give

15. So What? How do you want to honor that person?
What should it cost you?
What can you give that will “fit” into their life?
How can you give it in such a way that you expect nothing in return?