It was my birthday recently.  I enjoyed several special days with family and friends.  People who love me took time to come over and just be with Husband and me on our patio.  We ate and talked.  Our adult kids and grandchildren, and special friends made time to be together.  One daughter and her daughter drove three hours to come.  Just seeing their beautiful faces and talking were the most precious gifts.  Our children and grandchildren from out of town called to talk.  Some friends and relatives sent beautiful cards with flowers and birds (my favorite).  One son humored me and let me take their family portraits.  Another son helped me with studio lighting advice and practice.  (He’s a more accomplished professional photographer than I am by far.)  Our children also gave me beautiful things they knew I’d enjoy.  I got a bouquet. I got a patio umbrella so we could all sit outside together any time of the day.  I got plants.  I got food.  One gift I use many times every day.  It is a valuable tool that aids me in the things that are most important to me.  Every one of these lovely gifts were lovingly picked with me in mind.  They knew what I would use and enjoy.  I felt loved and known.

We could all use a big dose of happiness in these unsettling times.  My birthday reminded me of a principle in Scripture that promises happiness (blessing).  When we give, we make God happy, others happy, and ourselves happy. Gifts are talked about a lot in the Bible.  In the Old Testament, God’s people brought gifts to God.  They brought animals, grain, and wine as sacrifices for sin, thank offerings, vows, peace offerings, and tithes.  Their gifts showed their devotion to God.  Sometimes the people gave money or valuables as contributions to building the tabernacle or temples.  Part of their gifts to God provided for those who served God at the tabernacle or temple.  Parts of some of their sacrifices were for them to eat and celebrate God’s goodness.  Giving to the poor was considered giving to God, as well.  The Old Testament from beginning to end talks about God’s gifts to people.  He provided for their physical needs, he gave them abilities and powers, and he gave them a way to know and enjoy him.  (He also provides for his creatures everywhere.)  In the New Testament, we see the greatest gift God ever gave humans- his own Son, our Savior.  He continues to provide for us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  We have the privilege of giving back some of what he gives us.  We can give back our time and talent to him by serving others.  We can give back some of the plenty we have to support workers in the church and to help those in need.  From the beginning when God gave life to humans and gave them the world and its creatures, to the end when God will give us a perfect new world the Bible is packed with giving.  Here are a few Scriptures to treasure.

Gifts should be given to God generously, willingly, and eagerly.
“So the people of Israel—every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them [building the tabernacle] through Moses—brought their gifts and gave them freely to the Lord.“  Exodus 35:29
“The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded.  So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the Lord and were eager to get to work.”  Exodus 36:1-2
“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully’.”  2 Corinthians 9:7
“For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.”  Romans 15:26 

Gifts to God please him and bless others
In the Old Testament, people gave offerings to God at the tabernacle or temple.  Some of it was burned up and the rest of it was given to the priests who served God to sustain them and their families.  Some offerings were shared between God, the priests, and the givers to enjoy in celebration of God’s goodness.

• “The priest will take a representative portion of the grain offering and burn it on the altar. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
  The rest of the grain offering will then be given to Aaron and his sons [priests] as their food. This offering will be considered a most holy part of the special gifts presented to the Lord.  Leviticus 2:9-10

In the New Testament, people gave offerings to God by sharing with those who were serving God in the Church, and also to those in need.

• “I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me … They are a sweet–smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.”  Philippians 4:18. Paul, the missionary, thanking a church for their help.
• “And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!”  Acts 10:4
• “Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.”  Paul in Galatians 2:10   
• “There was a believer … named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.”  Acts 9:37

Gifts to God please him, bless others, and bless us
In the Old Testament, each person brought a gift to God of an animal or bird for a sin offering which was sacrificed as a substitute.  Then they were forgiven.

• “…the animal you present as a burnt offering . . .Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you may be accepted by the Lord. Lay your hand on the animal’s head, and the Lord will accept you, to purify you, making you right with him.”  Leviticus 1:3-4

In the New Testament, Jesus is our substitute instead of animals.  Our gifts to God aren’t to make us right with him, but they are noticed and God gives back to us abundantly.

• “You must each decide in your heart how much to give [to those in need] … And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.  So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:7-8,11-12
• “The gifts you sent me… are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.  “  Philippians 4:18-19

I can vouch for being provided for by God through hard times and good.  I can affirm that willing giving makes us happy.  Some giving is monetary and given so others can serve.  Other giving is hands-on time and effort to do kind things for our families and those we come in contact with.  All our giving is seen by God and rewarded.  Hooray!

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