Prophecy says when the world receives a certain bit of news, everyone will “celebrate, and they will send gifts to one another” Rev. 11:10. Consider human nature: when people are really happy, they celebrate by giving each other gifts.
Have you ever been so happy you wanted to give gifts? It is a rare and spontaneous feeling. I have felt that way while traveling—so happy that I wanted to buy souvenirs or postcards to share my joy. I once flew to Oakland, California for a deposition in Sacramento. I spent the night in Marin County, got up early the next morning and WALKED across the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco! I arrived a day early, so I had a day to see the city, tour a Redwood Forest (the Muir Woods), then drive north past San Quentin Prison and on to Sacramento. Trips like that were so fun and though I could not bring my family, I could at least give them gifts!
By custom, some events now require gifts: birthdays, weddings, showers, graduations. Gifts mark the importance of the occasion. Spending money says “this thing you did MATTERS to ME.”
“No one is to appear before the Lord empty-handed. Everyone must appear with a gift suited to his means, according to the blessing the Lord your God has given you” Deuteronomy 16:16-17.
Do we appear before the Lord empty-handed? How often do we show up with gifts? It is important to give God some of the money that he has given you. Bring a gift to church and participate in worship by being a giver.
Say to God “this thing MATTERS TO ME. Church matters to me. Feeding the poor and sharing the gospel and supporting missionaries MATTERS TO ME.”
God, show us what we can give. Thank you that you accept small gifts—that it need not be overwhelming, because you are more interested in our hearts than our bank accounts. But give us the desire to be givers!
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