Giving Good Gifts

Scripture – Matthew 7:9-12: ⁹“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹²So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Sometimes I forget that God is perfect. His love is perfect. His gifts are perfect – specifically chosen for me. I don’t always do well with gift giving. Usually, what gets in the way is my own idea of what a good gift is. So if I’m not careful, I’ll end up giving you something I really like. However, it may well be something you have no interest in. God always gives good gifts. That is, they are gifts that fit me and fulfill me. A gift really reveals a lot about the giver. And God’s gifts reveal His personal love for me.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) To give a good gift, I have to pay attention to the one receiving the gift. That is, I have to look beyond myself. I will do that. Especially as this Christmas season unfolds, I will give loving thought to the gifts I give.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, thank you for the gifts you give. Thank you for your loving faithfulness and kindness. Teach me to give as you do.