*On December 13th, the Lord woke me up at 4 a.m. As I was reading through the book “The Hole in the Gospel” (Richard Stearns), an idea began to simmer. Through prayer, it gave birth to the following plan: This Christmas, some of the gifts we (as a family) give will be cash- with the following note attached:
A Gift With a String Attached
This is a different sort of gift- a gift with a string attached. This gift is both a reminder and a request. A reminder that it is more blessed to give than to receive. A reminder that gifts given from the heart, change the heart. A reminder that even small acts of love are both significant and remembered.
The “string” attached to this gift is that you must ADD something to it, and then give it away in love.
What might you add? Prayer? Effort? Words? Money? Thought? Time? Skill? Talent?
What might you give? You might give it to someone you know, in a way that will bring them joy. You might give it to someone in need- nearby or far away. Maybe it is to a cause that stirs both your heart and God’s. Perhaps you will use it to create—create something from your own hands, and then extend it to another. Or you could use it to open up a space in time where you bless another with a cup of coffee and a listening ear.
Be creative: Add something of value and give from the heart.
When you do so, what initially appeared to be small, will be multiplied and converted into a currency with eternal worth.
This gift is the opportunity to give. As we celebrate Christmas, be reminded that we only give out of the reservoir of what we have been given. And all that we have comes out of the overflow of God’s grace.
“Freely you have received, freely give.”
-Jesus (Matthew10:8)