Berean Blog

Are You a Gifted Giver?

Have you ever received a gift that made you feel so special and seen? Or maybe it was you who gave a gift like that - one that was intentional and creative to brighten someone's day. This is the season of giving and generosity. Within each one of us, there is often a desire to give and serve others. It's how we were created. Every gift, no matter how big or small, makes a difference to the one who receives it. How can you give this season and beyond to be a blessing to others?

by Kay Larson on November 29, 2022

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I have this friend who has an amazing gift. She is literally gifted at gifting. She is intentional, thoughtful, and so creative. I know that when she shows up with that little bag of “whatever it might be,” she took time and was thinking about what would make me smile. I know that when I open it up, I will be delighted and surprised because she has a knack for giving things that spark a memory or make me feel special and seen.

God gave us the desire to give and make a difference.  

This is the season of giving and generosity. People clammer to sign up to serve at the food shelves. They purchase items for local toy drives and giving trees and support efforts to help those who need a little hand-up during the holiday season. A few weeks ago while working at the Berean Giving Trees, a young lady said, “I don’t have any money, but I would love to do something to help. Can I come and wrap presents?

There is a desire and need to give and serve others. It is simply part of our DNA and how we were created. God first showed us how to give and gave us the desire to bless others because we are made in his image.

We can start by being intentional with our giving.

I think most of us wish we were more generous. Sometimes it is a lack of financial resources, other times a lack of time, and sometimes a lack of knowing where to start. Regardless of where we fall on the spectrum, our first step is to be intentional.

Intentionality could mean creating a budget, praying for God to show us who to bless or to open our eyes to a need, or could even start by listing out all the ways we have been blessed. Think about how you want to make a difference and what resources you have available. What are your talents and how can they be used to bless others?

One of the best gifts I ever received was from a friend who brought by some warm soup and bread when I was very sick. She used her culinary expertise to fuel my body while she prayed on my behalf for healing. She was intentional. Another person I know is intentional with their finances to the point that they have a generosity fund. Each paycheck, they put money away in a fund that they know will be given away – they just don’t know who the recipient will be. They pray for God to show them where this money is going to go and to surprise them. He never lets them down with his creativity! Their generosity may end up being spontaneous, but it started with an intentional plan.

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When giving, we must have our hearts tied to the mission.

Admittedly, there are times when I feel a little stressed when it’s my turn to be the gift giver. I am afraid my gift won’t measure up or that it won’t impact the person as much as their gift did me. I have to remember that what makes the gift special is the heart behind it. The reason people rush to serve at the soup kitchens or deliver food this time of year is that they can’t imagine not being able to have that basic need of food fulfilled themselves. It’s the same reason why people fill shoeboxes with toys for children halfway around the world. They don’t want to imagine a world where a child doesn’t get to open a gift on Christmas. Our hearts must be tied to the mission, which is tied to the gift, or it all falls short. Our gifts have the greatest impact when our hearts are fully engaged.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).   

God perfectly modeled gift-giving for us.

God modeled gift-giving for us so perfectly. In fact, he so loved us that he gave his son! Talk about impact!

God is a super creative, loving, and heart-encompassing gift-giver. Who would have thought of giving a broken, fallen world the gift of a Savior – who was a BABY. Born in a nasty, smelly stable filled with stale straw and feed, dirty animals, and poo. The gift was intentional, thoughtful, and so creative. 

Over the years, my creative gift-giving God has surprised me on a number of occasions with just what I needed and usually when I didn’t deserve it. I know that I can never outgive God, but I am thankful for the heart he has given me and I want to continue to follow his example.

There are so many ways you can make a difference!

There are literally millions of ways to give (just Google "ways to give this holiday season 2022" and you will see over a billion results). Be intentional. If you don’t know where to start, search your heart and ask God for guidance. Use your resources. Be prepared to be blessed in return!


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Tags: generosity, gift-giving, love one another, serve others, blessed to be a blessing, creative giving, bless others, lakeville, giving tuesday, churches near me, berean baptist church, churches in burnsville, apple valley, intentional giving, how to be intentional with our finances, giving fund, god loves a cheerful giver, use your talents to serve others

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