Christmas Gift Shopping GuideSample

GIFTS OF INCONVENIENCE Few things in life bring greater joy than a well-thought-out gift. A gift that was chosen with care makes us feel loved and special. But even greater than someone knowing us well enough to choose the right gift, is seeing them going out of their way for us. "One way to show someone you love them is to simply go out of your way for them. It is the gift of inconvenience." (Mark Batterson). David understood the concept of a meaningful gift. In 2 Samuel 24, he was offered a free piece of land to build an altar to the Lord. That sounds like a double gift, right? Araunah's gift of the land together with David's altar would make a great offering to the Lord. But David declined. "But the king replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing'" (2 Samuel 24:24, NLT). In the New Testament, Jesus also explains the value of gifts of inconvenience. In Mark 12, He points out that poor widow's small coins were worth more than the large amounts rich people were offering. "' I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on'" (Mark 12:43-44, NLT). What message are you sending with your gifts this Christmas? Are you simply giving a part of your surplus, or do your gifts have meaning? Over the next few days, we will look at ways to choose gifts that portray our love by adding some inconvenience. And I believe you will end getting more joy from your gifts this year than those who receive them!