Four Ways a Man May Give a Gift

FOUR WAYS A MAN MAY GIVE A GIFT

Adapted by Monty Gilmer

from notes written by Evelyn M. Gilmer (1923-2016)

     The first way a man may give a gift is as a duty. He might pay an account, or he might send a remittance to a tax collector. He might do so with reluctance or with such a bad grace that it would be almost better not to do so at all.

     The second way a man may give a gift is to find self-satisfaction. He thinks more of his own pleasant feeling than he does of the feelings of the person receiving the gift. To give for satisfaction more than from any real desire to help is in essence selfish giving. One is giving a gift to oneself rather than to another person.

     The third way a man may give a gift is from motives of prestige. The real source of giving in this case is not love but pride. A gift is given not to help but to glorify the giver. Maybe the gift is even given to pile up credit with God, as if any man could put God in his debt.

     The fourth way a man may give a gift is under love's compulsion. Although the other three ways are not wholly bad because the gift was given, this fourth one is the only real way to give. Where love is the motive, one cannot help giving, because the sight of a soul in need awakens a desire that cannot be silenced or stilled. This is, in fact, to give in God's way. It was because God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son (see John 3:16 in the Bible).

     As a Latin proverb says, "He gives twice who gives quickly." In other words, a prompt response to a request for something, such as money or help, is of greater value than a more generous offering given late. And yet, the finest gifts are given not when they are demanded but before they are asked for.