Give Joy, Get Joy

From Advent: A 25 Day Countdown to Christmas on YouVersion

Have you ever gotten a bad Christmas gift? It’s the kind of gift you know you’re going to return before you’ve even finished unwrapping it. Then, if you’re with the gift-giver, you go through the awkward dance of pretending you like the gift without outright lying. Not the most joyful experience, right?

But how about when you get the perfect gift? The thing you didn’t even know you needed in your life. The kind of gift only someone who truly knows you could have given.

Intentional gifts can create joy. Not because they got you a thing but because the gift represents the care, intentionality, and love of the friend who gave it to you.

Now, let’s go one step further. Imagine you’re the one giving the perfect gift for your loved one. How does it feel? Joyful. Because you gave of yourself, and it created joy in others.

Remember, joy is a resilient cheerfulness anchored in the goodness of God. And throughout the Bible, we see a theme of joy leading to giving.

Remember yesterday when we explored David’s joy at regaining the Ark of the Covenant? After dancing through the streets he gave food to everyone present.

And they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed, each to his house. – 2 Samuel 6:17-19 ESV

After Jerusalem was rebuilt following the exile, a man named Nehemiah encouraged his people to feast and share food with people who had none.

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10 ESV

And Jesus, for the joy set before Him, gave His life as a gift to the world.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. – Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV

So why does joy lead to giving gifts? Because if we believe God is good and loves us, then we can be confident He’ll meet our needs today. And if we have what we need today, we’re free to share any extra we might have with others.

When we do, we get to be a source of joy in the lives of others. We also get to imitate Jesus, who spent His life on earth joyfully giving of His time and resources.

Joyful people give, but it also works the other way around. Giving can increase our joy. One of Jesus’ most famous quotes is, “It is better to give than to receive.”

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35 ESV

So if you’re searching for joy this holiday season, try finding a way to give. Now you might say, “I’m already terrified to look at my bank statement after Christmas shopping, and I’m supposed to give more?”

Valid question, but remember, you can be generous with or without money.

You might try giving your time by serving at church or in your community. Or you could share extra resources and be a blessing to people in need. You might give your talents by lending advice, encouragement, wisdom, or practical support to your neighbors. Then, you’ll get to experience firsthand the joy-filled blessings of giving to others.

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ESV

Of course, don’t forget what we said about peace last week. If you feel like you’re already giving all of your time, energy, and resources to others, then you might consider finding ways to pursue rest.

Pause and Pray:

Lord, thank You for the opportunities You give me to have joy in honoring You every day. Please help me to have true joy from serving You. Please help me find ways to be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reflect or Discuss:

How could you increase your joy and the joy of others through giving? It could be a resource, time, or even an encouraging text. Check out this article for some examples of how you can be generous with or without money.