Gift giving is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the nature of God, human relationships, and the principles of generosity and gratitude. The act of giving gifts is seen as an expression of love, honor, and worship, and it is deeply embedded in the cultural and religious practices of biblical times.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, gift giving often served as a means of establishing and maintaining relationships. One of the earliest examples is found in Genesis 32:13-21, where Jacob sends gifts to his brother Esau in an attempt to reconcile after years of estrangement. This act of giving was intended to appease Esau and demonstrate Jacob's goodwill.

The practice of offering gifts to God is also prevalent in the Old Testament. The Israelites were instructed to bring offerings to the Lord as a form of worship and atonement. In Exodus 25:2, God commands Moses, "Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him." This voluntary giving was a way for the people to express their devotion and gratitude to God.

The wisdom literature, particularly the Book of Proverbs, highlights the importance of generosity. Proverbs 18:16 states, "A man’s gift opens doors for him, and it brings him before great men." This suggests that gifts can pave the way for opportunities and favor, emphasizing the social and relational benefits of giving.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of gift giving is elevated to a spiritual level. The ultimate gift is seen in the person of Jesus Christ, whom God gave to humanity for salvation. John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This act of divine generosity sets the standard for Christian giving.

The early church practiced gift giving as a means of supporting one another and advancing the Gospel. Acts 4:34-35 describes how believers sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds to those in need: "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need."

The Apostle Paul frequently addressed the topic of giving in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, he writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This underscores the importance of the giver's attitude, emphasizing that giving should be done willingly and joyfully.

Spiritual Gifts

Beyond material gifts, the New Testament also speaks of spiritual gifts, which are given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the edification of the church. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul explains, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." These spiritual gifts are to be used in service to others, reflecting the selfless nature of true gift giving.

Principles of Gift Giving

The Bible presents several principles regarding gift giving. First, it should be done with the right heart and motives, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7, where God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances. Second, giving should be generous and sacrificial, as exemplified by the widow's offering in Mark 12:41-44. Third, it should be done in secret, without seeking recognition, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:3-4: "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Gift giving in the Bible is a multifaceted practice that encompasses material, relational, and spiritual dimensions. It serves as a reflection of God's generosity and a means of fostering community, worship, and service among His people.John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete with it shall be measured to you again.
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Matthew 10:42
And whoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
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Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
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James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no ficklenss, neither shadow of turning.
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2 Peter 1:3
According as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue:
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1394. dosis -- the act of giving, a gift
... Definition: a giving, gift, donation. ... gift, giving. From the base of didomi; a giving;
by implication, (concretely) a gift -- gift, giving. see GREEK didomi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1394.htm - 6k

1431. dorea -- a gift
... 1431 (a feminine noun, derived from 1325 ) -- a gift, and hence acquired by or
"entitlement." 1431 (a noun) expresses a brand of giving that highlights the of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1431.htm - 7k

2067. Zabdi -- "gift," four Israelites
... Word Origin from zebed Definition "gift," four Isr. NASB Word Usage Zabdi (6). Zabdi.
From zebed; giving; Zabdi, the name of four &? Israelites -- Zabdi. ...
/hebrew/2067.htm - 6k

5414. nathan -- to give, put, set
... 2), fasten (2), fastened (1), find (1), furnishing (1), gave (293), generously give
(1), gift (1), give (491), given (259), gives (67), giving (37), grant (18 ...
/hebrew/5414.htm - 9k

Sacrifice Hallows and Increases the Gift.
... and the hallowing touch acts in geometrical proportion upon the value of the gift. ...
folks, many folks, should be spending more on their bodies and giving less. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/sacrifice hallows and increases the.htm

The Gift that Brings all Gifts
... that, in some profound and real sense, there is an analogy between that wondrous
and faithful act of giving up and the transcendent and stupendous gift to the ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the gift that brings all.htm

The Fragrance of the Life in the Gift.
... Those whose giving is in smaller amounts by our bulky way of reckoning values, may ...
And the gift takes on the quality and power and fragrance of the life that ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/the fragrance of the life.htm

God's Requirements and God's Gift
... First, we have to go to the giving God, with thanks 'unto Him for His unspeakable
gift'; and then we have to say to Him, 'Thou hast given me Thy Son. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/gods requirements and gods gift.htm

Service a Gift
... Our priesthood is to be done as a gift to God"to be done joyfully, giving ourselves
back to Him: 'Yield yourselves unto God'"'your reasonable service.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/service a gift.htm

Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving
... In Philippians, prayer is called "requests." "Let your requests be made known unto
God," which describes prayer as an asking for a gift, giving prominence to ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/iv prayer praise and thanksgiving.htm

A Living Sacrifice.
... That was the simple explanation of her giving. And her gift, small in itself, touched
with sacrifice, became worth several hundred dollars in its earning power ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/a living sacrifice.htm

That There was in Her Monastery a Brother, on whom a Gift of Song ...
... all examine and give their judgement upon the nature and origin of the gift whereof
he spoke ... So he, giving ear to all that he could learn, and bearing it in mind ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxiv that there was.htm

The Author Adapts the Mystery of the Number Seven (Made up of the ...
... Himself. It remains that, after His example, they may, by the gift of Divine
grace, furnish life-giving food from countless seeds. And ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter ii the author adapts.htm

Grace and Truth
... If you want the grace which is the unveiling of the heart of God, the gift of a
giving God and the pardon of a forgiving Judge; or if you want the truth, the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/grace and truth.htm

What does it mean for salvation to be a gift from God? | GotQuestions.org

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What is the spiritual gift of helps? | GotQuestions.org

Gift: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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