Gift or Giver

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:18-19; 1 Timothy 6:17-19

“It sure is good to see you all after so long!” said Liam’s uncle. He was passing through town on a business trip and had stopped in for a brief visit.

Uncle Jack handed Liam a package. “Here, Liam. Since you’re such an artist, I thought you might like this.”

Liam tore off the wrapping. “No way! A 3-D pen! Thanks, Uncle Jack!” Soon Liam had the box open and was busy looking through its contents.

Liam’s mother leaned toward him. “Why don’t you put that away until later?” she suggested quietly. “Uncle Jack won’t be here very long.”

“Okay,” Liam said, but he kept right on reading the booklet on how to work the pen.

Suddenly, Liam heard Uncle Jack say, “Well, I’ve got to be on my way.”

“You do? Already?” asked Liam. “But you just got here.”

“It seems like it, doesn’t it?” said Uncle Jack. “I was hoping to hear all about your recent church trip, but I really have to be going now.”

After the goodbyes were said and Uncle Jack’s car pulled away from the driveway, Mom turned to Liam with a frown. “Liam, you ignored your uncle the whole time he was here.”

“I didn’t mean to,” Liam said, embarrassed. “I just got so excited about my new pen. I’m sorry.”

“Uncle Jack was sorry too,” Dad told him. “I could tell he was disappointed when you didn’t pay any attention to him.”

“But, Dad,” said Liam, “didn’t he want me to enjoy the gift he got for me?”

“Sure,” said Dad, “but you got so interested in the gift that you forgot about the giver! Though I guess we all do that sometimes.”

“Like when you spent all day riding the new lawn mower Mom got you for your anniversary?” Liam asked.

Dad laughed. “Well, yes, that too, though I was thinking about the gifts given to us by God. He wants us to enjoy the gifts He’s given us—like family, friends, talents, and material goods. But it’s possible for us to get so wrapped up in the gifts that we forget about the Giver. Jesus gave His life to save us from sin, and He’s always with us. Knowing Him is the best gift of all.” Sherry L. Kuyt

How About You?

Do you sometimes pay more attention to gifts than you do to the giver? It’s good to let people know you appreciate the things they give you, but be sure they know you love them too. The greatest Giver of all is God, and His best gift is His Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so you could have a relationship with Him. Thank Him for all the gifts He’s given you, and enjoy the friendship you have with Him.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Timothy 6:17 [Our] trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Love the giver more than the gift