GIFTS AND NECESSITIES
Regalos y Necesidades
by
Mary Hunt Webb
Posted Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Amidst the joy of graduation, friends and family members often present gifts to the recent graduates. [Photographer: Maura Barbulescu. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com.]
As I stood in line with the other graduates who were waiting for their turn to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas, we represented a wide variety of ages and backgrounds. Some were single young people while others were mature individuals with families. As we waited to enter the gymnasium where the ceremonies were being held, a woman asked the other graduates what they had received as graduation gifts.
"I received new luggage," one young woman with short brown hair said.
A tall blonde who appeared to be a young mother said, "My husband gave me a new stove!"
A gift is appropriate when there is a need for the gift item. [Photographer: Mary Hunt Webb*.]
"That's not an appropriate graduation gift!" commented the luggage recipient.
"Oh," the blonde replied, "but I really needed a new stove!"
I had to laugh because it was clear that the perspective of a young married woman was quite different from that of a single one.
It would be easy to say that the new stove wasn't an extraordinary gift because her husband gave it to her, but we don't know what extra effort he exerted or what sacrifice he made in order to provide it. Perhaps he worked overtime at his job or maybe he took a temporary second job so he could afford it. Or, perhaps he sold a possession that meant a lot to him so that he could show his wife how proud he was of her accomplishment with an expensive gift that he knew she needed and wanted. She undoubtedly knew of his sacrifice, and that increased her appreciation. It was of no consequence if anyone else understood because she did, and that made her appreciate the seemingly inappropriate gift all the more.
When a person doesn't have up-to-date possessions, luxuries take second place to necessities so that we are willing to accept necessities as gifts. For example, someone with a drawer full of socks might not appreciate socks as a Christmas gift. However, someone with only a few pair without holes in them would be happy to receive several new pairs of thick socks as a gift. This is possible when the giver knows and understands the needs of the recipient.
Having fewer possessions means that one has great appreciation of those things that one receives. Gratitude is strongest when a need is filled. When that happens, it lets us know that God is aware of our needs and that He is supplying them. Such an occurrence reinforces the truth of Philippians 4:19, which says, "…my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (KJV) He knows what we need when we need it.
BIBLE VERSE FOR THIS POSTING
Philippians 4:19 — "…my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (KJV)
Filipenses 4:19 — Mi Dios, pues, suplirá todo lo que os falta conforme a sus riquezas en gloria en Cristo Jesús. (Reina-Valera 1960)
When one has few socks without holes in the toes, that person is happy to receive new ones as a gift. [Photographer: Conger Design. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com.]
* Please do not use our original photos without our permission. These include photos by Mary Hunt Webb, Morris Webb, Jr., Morris Webb, Sr., and C.B. Hunt. Thank you.
