VALUE THE GIVER ABOVE THE GIFTS

VALUE THE GIVER ABOVE THE GIFTS

1 Timothy 4:1-6everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected…

We are fortunate to live in a land of plenty• Abundance of food,

• Warm homes,

• Our choice of entertainment,

• Good friends.

• Safe travel.

everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected…

God created a lovely world

• …stocked its pantry with good things

• …placed us here to enjoy it all.

everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

I love going to Central America

• the pineapple is sweet

• and papaya is ripe and good.

everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

Soon Thanksgiving Day will be here

• We’ll find our way to a table loaded with good food.

• And, of course…

everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

Then Christmas is just a month away

• Parties• Programs• Christmas lights• Celebrations• Goodies• Gifts

everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

RECEIVING GIFTS CAN BE WONDERFUL

RECEIVING GIFTS CAN BE WONDERFUL

As kids at Christmastime

• It was the presents with our name on them…

It’s always fun to receive gifts.

• everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

God our creator is Giving by nature • He wants us to be

like Himself.

• So gift giving and receiving is something that just must happen.

• Besides, everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving

APPRECIATING THE GIFT IS WHOLESOME

APPRECIATING THE GIFT IS WHOLESOME

Moms always remind their kids to say…

• We must learn to say

Because it’s polite

But there’s a better reason

PLEASE and THANK YOUPLEASE and THANK YOU

It’s disappointing…

• when the gift you gave is not appreciated.

Cherishing the gift values the giverCherishing the gift values the giver

GIVING THANKS CONNECTS YOU TO THE GIVER.

GIVING THANKS CONNECTS YOU TO THE GIVER.

If I’m satisfied with the gift…

• then that’s what I get. – But If I learn to enjoy the giver, – I have the potential of all his or her resources.

• God wants us to be thankful when we hang around Him – We’re a lot more fun to be with when we

are thankful.

Remembering to thank the Giver connects me to the person.

• N.T. Story about 10 men who had leprosy. Jesus healed them. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. – Lk 17:15.

• Over and Over in the O.T. we read, Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.

Life is full of choices.

everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving