An introduction to gifting

“I want to give you something.” Those words make your eyes open and your ears perk up. We love gifts. The anticipation of receiving something especially for me is exhilarating. I may be expecting a certain something or it may be a total surprise, but it is still intriguing. The idea of giving and receiving is what I call “Gifting”. This process is much more than the exchange of items, it envelopes the entire concept of benevolence from a givers view and acceptance and utilization from the receivers view. It involves anything that can be transferred from one individual or group of individuals to another individual or group. The receiving and use of a special talent or skill is also part of the “gifting” process. Resources, regardless of how unique, are special, particularly to those involved in the process of receiving and giving, “Gifting”. We therefore, desire to learn and instill the lifestyle of giving, receiving, resources (great or small), “Gifting”, in our campers through a study of “Gifting” in Acts.

We will first explore what “gifts” are and as many aspects of gifts as we can. As we have just stated, a gift is anything that can be transferred from one individual or group to another. There is more surrounding any particular gift that makes the gift special. The expectation of gifts is a key element as in the fulfillment of a birthday or Christmas gift or it may be unexpected as in the surprise announcements of life ie, “The new car, baby, etc.….” As a result, gifts can be fulfilling or disappointing. What we expected to receive was either less than what the actually gift was and we were fulfilled or expectations were more than the actual gift and we were disappointed. The excitement, therefore, surrounding any gift, is dependent upon the expectation as much as the actually gift.

Next, the receiving of gifts in the “Gifting” process is important. We have an option, we can either accept of reject the gift. Not many of us, if any, have rejected a gift at first sight. We are probably gracious, to some extent, when being a presented a gift and accept it. We then have a choice to either find personal value in the gift or not. Acceptance may be more immediate and then the gift looses value in our eyes resulting in ultimate rejection, or acceptance may be delayed, but when it occurs, may last. It is possible that the gift is found valueless in the short term or the long term and discarded, rejected. The ultimate outcome of receiving a gift is a choice that we alone can truly make based on our value system.

The giving of gifts in the “Gifting” process is a test for a maturing individual. Anyone can and, most likely will accept a gift. How ready and willing are we to give gifts? Our first nature as babies is to receive and what we give results in a lot of sleepless nights, dirty diapers and work for the receiver. However, even in this dismal scenario, we are perceived as giving by bringing immense joy by our very existence. Without knowing or realizing, we are giving, because the receiver perceives what we are as joy and therefore, a gift. Therefore, our gifts are only gifts because of the value system of the receiver, not an overt attitude on the part of the giver. As we “grow up”, hopefully, we mature emotionally, socially and spiritually as well, and our intent of giving changes from ignorance to benevolence. The purpose of our giving in the purest sense should be to benefit the receiver regardless of the reception, expected, perceived or actual. When we can give in this manner without regard to self, but with total regard for the receiver, we can begin to experience the joy of our presence in the eyes of the receiver, just as we did as babies. We will have come full circle in a sense. The common factor is ignorance. In our beginning, it is ignorance of regard for others, in the latter, it is ignorance of regard for self. Another element to consider in giving is the attitude of the receiver. As we mature, regard for others should increase and regard for self should decrease and the response or expected response of the receiver should not affect the giving of the gift, at all. To become Christ-like necessitates us giving of our life and life’s gifts regardless of the short term or long term reception. The more mature we become the more we realize that giving in the gifting process is a gift in itself.


The recognition of the abundance of gifts over the world’s hording nature based in a Scarcity mentality is a reality of the maturing Christian individual. We live in a world culture that bases its economic systems on the finite nature of goods available for consumption. The limited supply of any goods or services, scarcity, necessitates an increase in the value according to the economic systems. This view necessarily carries over into our relationships when we limit our goodwill gestures, gifts, toward each other and use the scarcity mentality to create envy, jealousy, hatred and other less than Godly emotions that ultimately result in antisocial and ungodly actions. The converse of a scarcity mentality is an abundance mentality. This attitude bases itself in the notion that plenty is the rule rather than the exception and the provider of plenty will continue with His provide-ance at just the right time. Two necessary components of the abundance mentality are trust, a total reliance on the provider, and generous giving of whatever is entrusted to the “abundant” receiver. This is not a prevalent or popular attitude in our world culture and has, to my knowledge, never been attempted as a pure economic system. It is, however, a way of life based on a true abundance mentality to be sought after for the maturing Christ-one.

The realization that our gifts are actually resources to be utilized in the pursuit of the fulfillment of God’s purposes is the next step in the “Gifting” process. Gifts are only resources if they are used for their intended purpose. Used for any other purpose they are not resources and subsequently abused gifts. Once a gift is given and received, the continuing value must be ascertained. One of the important considerations when determining value is the Resource value of the gift. A resource is something which is a source of giving over and over until the source is depleted--a re-source. Given this definition implies that a gift can only be a resource if it is used to ''gift" again either partially or wholly. Therefore, a gift received and held, not used to its potential, becomes useless surplus in the life of the receiver. We sometimes call these "White Elephant" or "Gag" Gifts. The appreciation of these gifts at most is as an item in a garage sale and at least, occupying space in a land fill. A true resource, however, has an infinitely more beneficial purpose. Usefulness is the key. A resource possesses unlimited potential if valued for its unique purpose(s). One of the interesting features of this concept of gifting, resource, is that when given it is possible that it takes on a new purpose according to the needs, desires and attitudes of the receiver. This can be good or bad. The cycle begins again and all of the previous attributes of “gifting” come into play all over again. The receiver has to decide whether this gift is a resource or garbage.

The abundant life is the result of properly using the gifts of life in the “Gifting” process. We have explored the various decisions and results of those decisions surrounding this process. The result of making the God-centered decisions is life abundant here and hereafter. This is exemplified in the ultimate life of Jesus Christ and is made possible by His “gifting”. Other examples of this favored life are chronicled in the Book of Acts and in many other biblical references. The key is to accept the lifestyle of the gifted and become a giver through trust in the provide-ance of the ultimate provider.

The final step in the “Gifting” process is to serve and ultimately be served. This is the classic give and receive situation. When we give in the spirit of the ultimate Giver we are more than just benevolent, we are servers. We don’t just place the gift; we decorate and embellish the gift through the selfless act of elegant service. Also in the classical reception, we don’t just get a gift; we are treated to the service reserved for the saints, the Christ-ones who are compelled by the love of God to do nothing less than serve others as they would serve God. When we serve we are the ones that are ultimately served. To paraphrase a popular scripture, it is definitely easier to serve than to be served. Those that are true servants are difficult to serve. They enjoy the serving, giving, infinitely more than being served, receiving. While we have difficulty “gifting” them, God does and will be sure to serve them.

The result of a “Gifted” lifestyle, then, is the realization that the true Christian life is the most selfish lifestyle when one understands the eternal values of the Christ-one’s.

Steve