In addition to an enthusiastic greeting, discover seven valuable things that you can give to those God brings into your life every day. Most of them won’t cost you a dime! This is the fifth key in our series on conquering the fear of rejection.

5. Give Valuable Things to Others

Everyone likes to get gifts, (if you’re honest, you’ll admit that you like to get them too. :-) ) But people don’t just like gifts, they like those who give them. Proverbs 19:6 tells us that “every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.” Here, God is giving us a very effective way to overcome our fear of rejection, but we do need to act on His "Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts" (Proverbs 19:6instructions. After all, gifts don’t give themselves.

There are many types of gifts, some that are material and practical, and others that cannot be bought or sold. No matter what kind of gift you give, the key is that you give it in genuine love. (See I Corinthians 13:3.)

Here are a few gift ideas that can bless people immensely, while costing you barely anything, except a thought and some time.

1) A word of praise or recognition

This does not mean flattery. It is commending someone for acting in a way that honors God (even if they didn’t know it!). This priceless gift can go a long way in building others up and motivating them to do what is right. It also makes them feel safe around you, which is the very opposite of them rejecting you. (This gift is especially vital with brothers and sisters.)

For many, a handwritten card is a gift that will be kept and treasured for years. 2) Notes or cards of thanks, exhortation, or encouragement

For some people, a handwritten card is a gift that will be kept and treasured for years. It takes some thought and some time, but it is a gift that God can use in many ways. The Apostle Paul taught us how incredibly powerful written letters can be. Without his “gift” of writing, we would not have the amazing books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and so many others.

3) Remembering significant dates and events

Birthdays, anniversaries, spiritual birthdays, there are many opportunities to show others that we care about the special times in their lives. How many of us have had that pleasant feeling of happy surprise when someone unexpectedly remembers a day that is important to us?


4) Support and love in times of difficulty and sorrow

Sometimes the best gift we can give is little more than a listening ear, a caring heart, and a shoulder to cry on Sometimes this gift requires silence, sometimes it requires advice or encouragement; but this gift is precious, especially within the Body of Christ. We must be willing to “weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15). Being sensitive to the needs of those who are suffering is a powerful testimony of God’s love and care, and it is also a direct gift to Christ Himself. “I was sick, and ye visited me . . . . Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:36, 40).

5) Prayer

This gift is sometimes difficult to give, because some people do not seem to want it. But for many, letting them know that you are praying for them, or even taking the time to pray with them, is a gift of great value. Prayer is one of the most priceless and powerful gifts we can give. We have the freedom to come boldly before God’s throne of grace and intercede for others, with such influence before a mighty God, why should we fear their rejection?

6) The beautiful news of salvation!

What a gift this is indeed!!! We often don’t see it as a gift that we can confidently give, because so many people do reject it. But in this case, you must disconnect yourself from that rejection and remember that it is not you, but the gift that they are pushing away. You have received the most precious gift in all the world, those who would reject it should not bring you a feeling of fear, but of sorrow for their great loss. They may reject you and the gift you offer, but The Giver has accepted you and loved you with an everlasting love, and their rejection cannot change that.

All these gifts cost very little and can do very much, but giving cannot end there.

This next gift encompasses many many things, but as a whole it is something we must be willing to give out.

In many ways money is like a farmer's seeds. The real benefit comes from what was dispersed, not what was left in the bag. 7) Money

(It had to come in somewhere :-) ) This may mean a check, the cash you made babysitting, the money you were saving for some special object, or even giving away a possession. There are many aspects of this gift. For some, this gift is easy to give. For others, it’s like separating a drowning man from a life preserver. But God works many amazing things through the giving of money. And many people who would normally reject you will be astonished by having a need met in this way.

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If you’re saying to yourself, “Well I don’t know where to give or who to give to,” then I would suggest:

  • Let God know that you’re willing to give.
  • Ask Him to open your eyes to the needs around you (and then make sure that you’re actually looking).
  • Talk to your parents and pastors and ask them of any needs they may know of.

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7).

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No matter what it is, where it is, or who it is,
when you give, you are emulating Christ;
when you emulate Christ, you are loved and honored in God’s sight;
and when you are loved and honored in God’s sight,
you will have no need to fear the rejection of men.

    This entry was posted on Thursday, August 6th, 2009 at 11:59 pm and is filed under Inspirational Insights. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.