Tag: Christmas

Is It Better to Receive Than to Give?

I learned an important lesson on a recent trip with my wife and some relatives. Sometimes it is better to receive than to give. I know this sounds contradictory to what we have been taught as children and what is even written in the Bible. Let me explain.
 
During our vacation my wife wanted to buy me a T-shirt or hat to remember our time together. My response was always the same – I don’t need another hat or shirt. I have plenty at home. The result was the same too. She was frustrated and discouraged. She enjoys shopping and buying gifts for people. It is her love language. It is her way of expressing how she values friendships and values our relationship. Giving gifts gives her satisfaction and purpose.
 
One evening while we were waiting for our names to be called at a local restaurant my wife and her sister went in to a gift shop. Her sister purchased a couple of things to take home to her grandkids and my wife found a T-shirt she thought I might like. When she showed it to me I immediately responded by saying – I don’t need another T-shirt.
 
It was obvious that she was frustrated and disappointed. She wanted me to have something to remind us of our trip but I didn’t want to spend more money on something I didn’t need. The gift shop lady was persistent and showed me some hats while we sat outside her store waiting for our table. Gradually I realized that I was ruining the evening and acting selfishly.
 
I decided to try on a couple of hats and see what my wife thought. She thought the gray hat looked best so we bought one. I was surprised at how quickly my wife’s mood changed. She was glad that I had a hat to remember our trip and glad that I was willing to let her express her love for me with this small gift. Does that make sense?
 
There is a passage in the Bible when a woman poured costly perfume on Jesus’ head while he was eating dinner with his disciples. When the disciples objected Jesus told them to not stop her. He was willing to receive this woman’s expression of love and kindness (Mark 14:1-9).
 
Maybe it is true that sometimes it is better to receive than to give. It allows people to do something kind and thoughtful for you. It gives them the opportunity to encourage you and express their love for you. Let me encourage you to be willing to receive as well as give this holiday season. You will be glad you did and they will too!

You can read 365 more stories by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The holiday sales price is two books for only $30 plus postage ($5). You can order a copy for yourself and give a copy to a friend or family member this holiday season. Order your books today at markh@efreedb.org. You will be glad you did and they will too!

The Invitation

Our church in Tucson was pretty small. There was a faithful group of people who had attended the church for many years. But we knew we needed to reach more new people for the church to grow.
 
One group of people we targeted were snowbirds who were enjoying the warm Arizona sunshine during the winter months. Many of these folks had motorhomes and travel trailers. Some of the mobile home parks allowed snowbirds to rent an empty space on a short-term basis. Many permanent residents also had lovely mobile homes in those parks. Gradually the snowbirds and residents got to know each other.  
 
We got permission to place some brochures from our church in the offices of these mobile home parks. We also put some free-standing signs out every Saturday to point the way. It was encouraging to have some guests from these parks visit our Sunday services.
 
But I did not foresee that these seasonal guests would invite other people to come with them. I don’t remember where the Browns were from but they were churchgoing people from the Midwest. Every Sunday they brought another couple to our services. Some of them came back. Eventually there was a whole row of 6-8 guests at our church every Sunday because the Browns had invited them.
 
The Browns also invited some of the permanent residents from their mobile home park. Herschel and Hilda Boggs not only came with the Browns but they continued to come after the Browns left for home. Herschel and Hilda had very little church background but they were eager to learn and grow in their faith. They invited other people to come   to our church too!  
 
There is a passage in the Bible when Andrew invited his brother Peter to come with him to meet Jesus. These two men eventually became Jesus’ disciples. It all began with a simple invitation (John 1: 40-42 ). There is power in a personal invitation. God wants to use you and me to bring other people to Him. Let me encourage you to invite a friend, coworker, classmate or family member to come with you to church this month. You will be glad you did and they will too!

You can read 365 more stories by the author in his book, Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. You can purchase two copies for only $30 plus $5 postage. Why not get a copy for yourself and give one as a gift to a friend or family member this holiday season. Order your copies today at markh@efreedb.org.