33 For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.
Well its always easier to think about things how they relate to others than our selves...so I'll start there. Christ has given so much counsel, advise, not to mention his life. Yet there are so many who don't accept him or his gifts. How sad! the gifts are already there and there is no rejoicing when the gift isn't received. Maybe on a more personal level...how many times do people give us gifts that we don't recognize or accept or acknowledge. When someone smiles at us, Maybe that's all they have to offer. Could we do more to rejoice with the giver and there by spread more joy generally? Great scripture for this time of year!
I was thinking about the process of gift giving with this scripture this week. It's really not about the gift at all- but the thought, time, and effort that goes into giving it and the reaction that is exhibited by the receiver.
As I have gotten older and our Walsh family has matured, that is what we've come to realize. We give gifts to other people at Christmas but if you look under our tree, it is empty. As a family we have chosen to not spend so much on gifts for each other, but instead choose to spend the gift of time with each other and build on experiences and memories we can always hold onto as a family.
Charity is the pure love of Christ- but it's also the greatest of His gifts we can receive and in turn give to others.
As I read this scripture we should all think about the gifts we have in our life's. I want to issue you all a challenge and think about the gifts we have and give one gift back to the Savior Jesus Christ this Christmas season and I love my many gifts that I have in my life at this time for my family and friends and my job and my callings at church too . Those are my thoughts for this week. Have a great Sunday today !
Rejoice is the word; both for the giver and the receiver. What a timely scripture for this time of year. Be it little or much, the joy is in the giving. Being great or small, the joy is in receiving and just being remembered. None of us will ever reach the magnitude of Christ's gift, but in the simple joy of giving and receiving we can exhibit that Christ-like qualities of being a charitable giver or a grateful receiver. In doing so we return to Christ and his children gifts that keep on giving. DAD
This scripture had special significance to me this week since it is my birthday. I had a lot of people who remembered it was my birthday. Some gave gifts, some just came to visit and some called. It wasn't the cost of the gifts but that made me happy. It was that people remembered me. I like personal gifts. One that someone had really thought about before they gave it to me. I like things that are useful. When I use them I always remember who gave it to me. That way the gift goes on giving with memories of that person and their gift. How does someone know you are grateful for the gift. You can tell them. You can write a thank you note. You can use that gift to help others. When people see you using the gifts they give they know they gave a meaningful gift. I think the same is with the Savior. He gave us the gift of pre-mortal life in volunteering to be our Savior. he gave us the gift of his mortal life, so that we know what we need to do to return back to our Heavenly Father. He also accomplished the atonement which has eternal significance. This is a gift we should us everyday as we repent and become better. He gave us the gift of his Post-Mortal life, making it possible for us to be resurrected and live together with him and our families forever. That is truly the best gift of all.
Sorry I have not participated the last 2 weeks. Dad informed me I have the scripture for this week. I picked Jobe 22:21 "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee."
So late again but here am I. My thoughts about the Saviors gift has been interesting as we studied the book of Leviticus this past week in seminary. We talked about lots of symbols and how they pointed to Christ's gift that he had yet to give.
As I thought about Christ's gift...I considered where is our alter of sacrifice today. Every week as we take the sacrament the alter there reminds us of his gift. His life he freely gave. How have I been doing at being the receiver of his gift?
As I was walking into church with Cedar, this thought came to me. What if I had to offer my first born? The tears rolled down my cheeks as I tried to consider once again the gift the Father gave to us. Am I offering the "whole" animal in me on the alter every week as I go to partake of the sacrament? To receive His gift, I must too prepare to receive it.
As I look back at the lasting gifts I have been given some I recognized almost instantly. Some of them didn't seem like gifts until I saw the value of what I was leaning. Some times I didn't realize it was a gift until much later in life. I reflect back on learning to ride a bike. I remember wanting to learn. However, when dad and mom started to teach me I was scared and I cried and fought them. Eventually I learned and was grateful. We are given gifts if we don't use them they are of no worth, sometimes we are given gifts and fight the process to Aquire the gift.
Well its always easier to think about things how they relate to others than our selves...so I'll start there. Christ has given so much counsel, advise, not to mention his life. Yet there are so many who don't accept him or his gifts. How sad! the gifts are already there and there is no rejoicing when the gift isn't received.
ReplyDeleteMaybe on a more personal level...how many times do people give us gifts that we don't recognize or accept or acknowledge. When someone smiles at us, Maybe that's all they have to offer. Could we do more to rejoice with the giver and there by spread more joy generally?
Great scripture for this time of year!
I was thinking about the process of gift giving with this scripture this week. It's really not about the gift at all- but the thought, time, and effort that goes into giving it and the reaction that is exhibited by the receiver.
ReplyDeleteAs I have gotten older and our Walsh family has matured, that is what we've come to realize. We give gifts to other people at Christmas but if you look under our tree, it is empty. As a family we have chosen to not spend so much on gifts for each other, but instead choose to spend the gift of time with each other and build on experiences and memories we can always hold onto as a family.
Charity is the pure love of Christ- but it's also the greatest of His gifts we can receive and in turn give to others.
I think we will be doing more of that for our family as well. Less under the tree and more doing.
DeleteAs I read this scripture we should all think about the gifts we have in our life's. I want to issue you all a challenge and think about the gifts we have and give one gift back to the Savior Jesus Christ this Christmas season and I love my many gifts that I have in my life at this time for my family and friends and my job and my callings at church too . Those are my thoughts for this week. Have a great Sunday today !
ReplyDeleteRejoice is the word; both for the giver and the receiver. What a timely scripture for this time of year. Be it little or much, the joy is in the giving. Being great or small, the joy is in receiving and just being remembered. None of us will ever reach the magnitude of Christ's gift, but in the simple joy of giving and receiving we can exhibit that Christ-like qualities of being a charitable giver or a grateful receiver. In doing so we return to Christ and his children gifts that keep on giving. DAD
ReplyDeleteThis scripture had special significance to me this week since it is my birthday. I had a lot of people who remembered it was my birthday. Some gave gifts, some just came to visit and some called. It wasn't the cost of the gifts but that made me happy. It was that people remembered me. I like personal gifts. One that someone had really thought about before they gave it to me. I like things that are useful. When I use them I always remember who gave it to me. That way the gift goes on giving with memories of that person and their gift. How does someone know you are grateful for the gift. You can tell them. You can write a thank you note. You can use that gift to help others. When people see you using the gifts they give they know they gave a meaningful gift. I think the same is with the Savior. He gave us the gift of pre-mortal life in volunteering to be our Savior. he gave us the gift of his mortal life, so that we know what we need to do to return back to our Heavenly Father. He also accomplished the atonement which has eternal significance. This is a gift we should us everyday as we repent and become better. He gave us the gift of his Post-Mortal life, making it possible for us to be resurrected and live together with him and our families forever. That is truly the best gift of all.
ReplyDeleteYou are always sooo good about showing gratitude with cards. I need to do better.
DeleteSorry I have not participated the last 2 weeks. Dad informed me I have the scripture for this week. I picked Jobe 22:21
ReplyDelete"Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee."
So late again but here am I. My thoughts about the Saviors gift has been interesting as we studied the book of Leviticus this past week in seminary. We talked about lots of symbols and how they pointed to Christ's gift that he had yet to give.
ReplyDeleteAs I thought about Christ's gift...I considered where is our alter of sacrifice today. Every week as we take the sacrament the alter there reminds us of his gift. His life he freely gave. How have I been doing at being the receiver of his gift?
As I was walking into church with Cedar, this thought came to me. What if I had to offer my first born? The tears rolled down my cheeks as I tried to consider once again the gift the Father gave to us. Am I offering the "whole" animal in me on the alter every week as I go to partake of the sacrament? To receive His gift, I must too prepare to receive it.
As I look back at the lasting gifts I have been given some I recognized almost instantly. Some of them didn't seem like gifts until I saw the value of what I was leaning. Some times I didn't realize it was a gift until much later in life. I reflect back on learning to ride a bike. I remember wanting to learn. However, when dad and mom started to teach me I was scared and I cried and fought them. Eventually I learned and was grateful. We are given gifts if we don't use them they are of no worth, sometimes we are given gifts and fight the process to Aquire the gift.
ReplyDelete