Giving and Sharing

2PP Blog for Week of 14 - 20 December 2024

We were out on one of our daily walks when we came upon this porch. As you’ll notice, it has something special for this holiday season—a “giving/sharing” station. The couple who live here have set up snacks for the folks who will stop by to deliver mail and packages. What a sweet gesture, right?

Whether we take the time to do something like this or show kindness or God’s love—Christmas—affords us many opportunities to be Christ’s ambassadors of generosity in big or small ways.

Here are some ideas with little or no cost:

Offer a smile—especially to someone who appears stressed, like a waiter, waitress, or store clerk.

Lend a helping hand to anyone struggling with heavy or multiple packages.

Pay for anything for anyone—anonymously—coffee, a meal, a service.

Bake and share cookies with a neighbor.

Allow someone to go ahead of you—in traffic, in a line—with a true spirit of patience. 

Buy a few small gift cards and let the Spirit lead you to those who need a little “cheer” or encouragement along your path.

Pray for any ambulance or emergency vehicle (patient and medical providers) that passes you.

Offer “Thank You’s” generously during this season! You don’t know how much such a simple expression may brighten a heart. 

If you participate in a “white elephant” gift exchange, give a new item that will be sought after, not something broken or that will hurt someone’s feelings.

Give a gift or two to folks who cannot reciprocate. Embrace the feeling of sharing something from your heart. Choose something that will make your recipient feel cherished or appreciated or make them feel “seen.”

Say “I love you” to your friends and family! Never neglect any chance to express your heartfelt words. Time is short, and you never want to have future regrets about things left undone or said. 

Visit an elderly person and allow them to share about their lives.

Buy a few toys and look for ways to distribute them in your church or community. 

How did Jesus exemplify this quality? In every town that He visited—He always had time to interact with people. He healed, shared meals, prayed, and demonstrated how to love others while giving glory to the Father. 

John 13:34-35 ESV: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 3:18 ESV: “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV: “Let all that you do be done in love.”

Ephesians 5:2 ESV: “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Dear Lord, I love reading Your Word and searching out the ways in which You interacted with Your Disciples and ordinary people during Your ministry. You were always kind, always noticing, always listening, and respectful. Jesus, I want to emulate Your heart. Grant me a sensitive spirit this Christmas to be observant and generous and willing to obey Your smallest directive to speak, give, or act on Your behalf. For in doing so … it is Your love that is most beautifully given and shared—to draw souls into Your family. Amen. 

Getting Inspired: What special talent has God given you? This may be your unique way to bless others (give/share) this Christmas! 

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