Look To The Motive
“If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I assure you, that person will be rewarded.” -- Mark 9:41
Gifts are wonderful things -- usually. But what happens when the “gift” is more about the giver than the recipient? Is it a true gift? Or is it meant for another purpose entirely?
I’m one of those people who spends a great deal of time trying to decide on the exactly right gift. I do have budget limitations. I also have to be aware of keeping things equal. But I care if the people who are receiving the gifts actually like the gifts.
What about you? Are you someone who spends a great deal of time selecting gifts or do you just sort of grab something at the last minute? Do you select gifts you think the person will enjoy or do you choose something you want them to have?
My trusty dictionary defines a gift as a thing given or received without payment. But is payment only money or can it be something else? Like power, guilt, control, a putdown, or anything similar? Yeah. You see where I’m going with this.
It’s important to keep an eye on motive when you decide to give a gift. If you find yourself giving money to a mission project merely to impress the project leaders, then you’re way off. If you buy someone lunch so they’ll feel obligated to you, you need to rethink yourself. If you purchase a gift that you know the recipient won’t like or use, consider your motives and your heart.
Everyone loves a gift that is meant to please and make the recipient happy. Make sure your gifts are for the recipient and not for you.
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