Christmas is the season of giving. We purchase gifts for our family and friends and think much about how much they cost. Do you know that you can give some priceless gifts all year long that will not cost you a thing? Here are four priceless gifts that will not cost you a dime!
- A Sincere Compliment – Research has shown that sincere appreciation expressed for a job well done, love given, or character displayed can mean more to a person than public recognition or a financial reward. People love sincere encouragement and compliments. Choose to be a Barnabas who goes around encouraging and uplifting others with your words (Acts 4:36). You can find something worthy of a compliment in any person, you just have to look!
- A Golden Deed – Jesus taught us the golden rule (Mat. 7:12), which simply says we are to treat others the way we want to be treated. Good deeds or kind acts don’t have to cost money or even take lots of time. They do require care and thoughtfulness for the other person. Our lives should be described as Dorcas, who was a woman “abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did” (Acts 9:36).
- A Listening Ear – James teaches us to be “quick to hear” (James 1:19) But we struggle to follow his advice? God gave us two ears and one mouth, yet we still use our mouths far too much! Listening is a gift to others, and thus a skill we must develop. It involves our attention, affection, and attitude. Focused listening with an open heart and a loving attitude can be a gracious gift that fills up an empty soul. Often all people need is someone to listen to them! You can gift that priceless gift.
- A Cheerful Disposition – Proverbs says, “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face” and “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Prov. 15:13; 17:22). A pleasant and cheerful disposition can change the entire group. A smile is free to give and blesses all those who see it. The choice of a positive attitude transforms your day and all those who pass your way.
Christmas shouldn’t be the only season of giving! Jesus taught us that it is “more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35). Let’s be givers every day! Let’s give these four priceless gifts that don’t cost us a dime, but have the power to change lives, including our own, for the better.
