You're giving...but are you receiving?

It’s that time of year again. Christmas trees are going up, lights are being hung, and fireplaces are lit. Well maybe not so much on the fireplaces here in Tampa, but you get my point. Christmas is here. So why do we celebrate Christmas anyway? If you were to ask random people walking the street you might be shocked to hear some of the answers. Regardless, the correct answer is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and how do we celebrate that? Well, the best way would be to emulate our Father in Heaven and give to others. In John 3:16, it shows the greatest manifestation of love is to give.

“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NET)

“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NET, emphasis added). Think about that for a moment. If you have children then you understand how hard it is to even imagine giving up, I mean really giving up one of your children. It is difficult to fully comprehend the magnitude of God’s love for us. What God did for us is amazing and a whole lot better than God just shouting down from Heaven, “Hey all you down there on earth, suffering and battling sin, I just want you to know I really, really love you.” Thank goodness that is not how He chose to express His love for us. God didn’t send Jesus to condemn us but to save us. “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, NIV) What an amazing gift! “Thank God for His Son––a gift too wonderful for words!” (2 Corinthian 9:15, NLT)

Other Ways To Give

When I mentioned imitating our Father by giving, I didn’t mean that we should pull out a loan and go into debt in order to give to loved ones. There are many different ways to give and some of these ways don’t even cost money. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, NIV). This scripture reveals other ways to give. The word burdens here refers to pressure, or load, like trying to please all the family that comes to visit, battling sickness, seeking employment, or even trying to keep positive when buried in debt. This Christmas let’s not overlook the opportunity to help others that may need things as simple as a caring ear to listen, some encouraging words, extra hands to help decorate, or maybe some money so they can give a special gift to a loved one. If we want to experience the real flavor of Christmas, then we should let God use us to alleviate someone else’s burden and fulfill the Law of Christ. When we do this, the anointing is activated in our lives and all that we do becomes blessed. This is the time of year to do great things for others, but keep in mind we don’t have to limit ourselves to helping others just during the Christmas season. Let’s spread that cheerful attitude of helping others throughout the entire year. Get blessed by being a blessing.

Receiving

The other side of giving is receiving. As adults sometimes we have trouble receiving from others because we put too much thought behind it. We may have thoughts like why are they giving me this, what do they want, or I can’t accept that, it’s too much and I don’t deserve it. We need to learn to receive the gifts that are willingly given to us. Someone may walk up to us and try to give us money or a gift. We should not hesitate; just gladly receive what is freely given. When we are willing and obedient to the Lord’s direction, it is through joyful receiving that God will make us a pipeline of blessings to others. The Lord hears our prayers and it is not uncommon for Him to use fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to answer them. We must learn how to receive from others and most importantly from God.

Hindering Ourselves

God has already done everything for us, but sometimes our minds can limit us. From the time we were born we began to build our intellect. Unfortunately, most of the time our spiritual growth lacks significantly in comparison. As we grow up we often allow our intelligence to dominate our way of thinking, which can hinder our ability to receive from God. If we can get past the limits of our intellect and have child-like faith, then we will be open to receive all the gifts God provided for us: salvation, healing, peace, love, joy, prosperity, and the list goes on. If God was going to hold anything back from us, believe me, it wouldn’t be these special gifts; it would have been His only begotten Son. But He didn’t and that is the good news.

“Child-like” Receiving

This Christmas season I encourage us all to pay special attention to the children around us as they receive gifts from loved ones. Children receive gifts with little to no thought or hesitation; it’s great to see. They just tear into them and that is exactly how God wants us to receive the gifts that He has given to us through Jesus Christ. “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Luke 18:17, NIV). Let’s get back to receiving like little children do when they put their hands in the air expressing their desire to have whatever mommy and daddy have. When we do, we can begin truly receiving the gifts God has already given us. Next time praise music is playing, lift your hands in the air like a little child does and begin receiving God’s gifts.

It’s time to begin receiving the multitude of gifts God has already given to us through Jesus Christ. Let’s act as children do when receiving gifts, and tear into these gifts with joy and excitement. Merry Christmas!