THE BEST GIFT OF ALL! - Conclusion of The Quest for the Best Gift

The giver's motives.  As the  previous example shows, it is good to consider whether the recipient might misinterpret the giver's motives.  On the other hand, the giver would do well to examine his or her  motives.  While most people would like to think that their motives for gift-giving are honorable, many give gifts during certain times of the year because they feel pressured to do so.  Still others give in hopes of receiving preferential treatment or something in return.

What can you do to ensure that  your gift-giving is done with good motives?  The Bible says: " Let everything you do be done with love."  (1 Corinthians 16:14) If your giving is motivated by genuine love and concern for the recipients, your gifts will likely be received with joy and you will experience the greater happiness that comes from true generosity.  When you give from the heart,  you also make our heavenly father rejoice. The apostle Paul commended the Christians in ancient Corinth when they generously and happily supported relief work for their fellow Christians in Judea.  "God loves a cheerful giver," Paul told them. -2 Corinthians 9:7.

Giving attention to the factors we have discussed can contribute greatly toward your giving gifts that make others happy.  These factors-and more-have played a part in God's arrangement for mankind to receive the greatest gift of all.  We invite you to consider what this grand gift is by reading the next article.

Next time: WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT OF ALL! - What is the Best Gift of All?

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