A Cheerful Giver

Bible Reading: Luke 21:1-4

Sarah wanted one thing for Christmas—the heart-shaped locket in the neighborhood gift shop. One day, she found her friend Gabby looking at the same locket.

Gabby’s eyes were glossy. “My mom used to have one like it,” she said. “Hers was expensive. We sold it when she got sick.” Gabby’s mom had been sick for a long time.

“Oh…” Sarah lowered her head.

“I have to go. Merry Christmas, Sarah.”

“Yeah, merry Christmas.”

A few days later, on Christmas morning, Sarah had one box under the tree.

“Sorry it’s not much this year,” Dad said.

“But Christmas isn’t about opening gifts, right?” Sarah said, remembering her Sunday school teacher’s lesson. “We celebrate because God already gave us the best gift. He loves us so much He gave us Jesus. No gift will ever be like that.”

Dad kissed her forehead. “You’re growing up so fast.”

But not so fast she wasn’t still excited to open her present. “It’s the locket! How’d you know?” She wrapped her arms around him. “I love it.”

Then she bit her lip. God had loved Jesus, His only Son, even more. Still, He sent Jesus to die on the cross so Sarah could be saved and live with Him forever. He gave her the best gift. Maybe Sarah could do something more with the locket than keep it for herself. “But, Dad…will you be mad if I give it to someone who needs it more?”

Dad raised his eyebrows. “I’d never get mad at you for being generous, Sarah. God loves a cheerful giver. But are you sure?” Sarah nodded. “Who do you have in mind?” asked Dad.

And so Dad took Sarah across the neighborhood to Gabby’s house. When Gabby opened the door, Sarah held out the locket. “I brought you something.”

Gabby gasped. But she didn’t put it around her neck like Sarah thought she would. “Is it okay if I give it to my mom?”

Sarah swallowed the lump in her throat. “Of course.”

And Sarah learned that sometimes, giving gifts was better than getting them. She could give gifts like this because God had given her the greatest gift of all.

-Becca Wierwille

How About You?

Have you ever given away something important to you? We all love getting gifts, but God loves a cheerful giver. We can give to others because God gave us the best gift of all—Jesus. Christmas is a great time of year to practice the kind of generosity God showed when He sent Jesus to be here with us on earth.

Today’s Key Verse:
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Give as God gave to you