Updated: December 2025
Gift-giving is a timeless way to express love, appreciation, and thoughtfulness. For many people, especially children, receiving a gift brings joy, whether it’s for birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions.
After all, who doesn’t love the excitement of receiving something meaningful?
Exchanging gifts has become a cherished tradition in our culture, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The challenge arises when gift-giving becomes selective, self-centered, or focused on appearances. Too often, we seek something fancy, impressive, or expensive, believing that the value of a gift lies in its price or presentation.
Yet God has already given us the greatest gift of all—one that surpasses anything we could ever buy or imagine: salvation through Jesus Christ. His gift is freely given, full of grace, and available to all who believe.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV)
God’s example of giving isn’t about extravagance or impressing others; it’s about generosity, love, and grace. As we explore what it means to give like God, we’ll see how His ultimate gift can inspire the way we give to others, not just in special moments, but in everyday life.
God’s Greatest Gift to Us: Salvation by Grace
God’s gift to humanity has nothing to do with our effort. We didn’t earn it, deserve it, or purchase it. Salvation is a gift given freely through God’s kindness and love.
So what is this gift?
Our salvation.
Unlike gifts we buy from a store, God’s gift cannot be measured by price tags or material value. Some may think it is “cheap” because it is freely available to anyone who receives it by faith. But in truth, it is priceless.
Why?
Because God paid for it with His own life.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7, ESV)
To redeem means to buy back, to pay a ransom, or to regain possession. Humanity originally belonged to God, but sin separated us from Him. Left on our own, we were headed toward eternal separation from God.
Yet God did not want us to perish. Out of love, He sent His Son to redeem us.
Christ Came to Give His Life, Not Start a Tradition
Jesus did not come to earth to establish a holiday tradition centered on exchanging presents. He came to give His life as a ransom for many and to offer eternal life to all who believe.
In doing so, God demonstrated the true meaning of gift-giving.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV)
1️⃣ Giving Should Be Motivated by Love
God had one reason—and one reason only—for giving us the greatest gift of all: love.
God didn’t have to give His Son, yet He chose to do so anyway.
“God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16, ESV)
Everything God does flows from His loving nature. If He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32).
This raises an important question for us:
What is our motivation for giving?
In goal-setting, this is often called “finding your why.” Why do you give to charities, churches, or people in need? Why do you give gifts to friends and family?
Giving isn’t limited to money or material items. It can also include:
Giving your time to someone who feels alone
Offering encouragement to a struggling friend
Setting aside your schedule to comfort someone in pain
When our giving flows from genuine love, it reflects the heart of God.
2️⃣ Giving Should Be Unconditional
Unconditional giving means no strings attached.
God did not place conditions on His gift of salvation. He didn’t say, “Clean yourself up first,” or “Turn away from sin, then I’ll send My Son.”
“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV)
God gave His Son freely—motivated by love, not obligation.
In today’s world, people often ask, “What’s the catch?” because truly unconditional gifts are rare. But God’s love is different. His gift was freely given.
While God desires that people receive His gift by faith and share it with others (the Great Commission), this expectation is not for His benefit; it’s for the salvation of those still living in darkness.
Jesus Himself said it is more blessed to give than to receive. That’s why giving to those who cannot repay us reflects God’s heart most clearly.
3️⃣ Giving Should Be Sacrificial
Sacrifice is never easy. It involves discomfort, cost, and often pain.
God modeled sacrificial giving when the Father watched His only Son suffer and die at the hands of sinful humanity. For us to be spared eternal judgment, God endured unimaginable pain.
The story of Abraham preparing to offer Isaac on Mount Moriah foreshadowed what God would later do on Mount Calvary, about 1,500 years later.
Sacrificial giving still applies today.
Perhaps you’ve experienced it yourself:
These moments remind us that real giving often costs us something.
You were saving for something personal, but a family member needed help
You planned to treat yourself, but a friend was suddenly in crisis
4️⃣ Giving Should Be Purposeful
God’s gift had a clear purpose: our salvation.
“Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush Him; He has put Him to grief.” (Isaiah 53:10, ESV)
Though difficult to read, this verse reveals that Christ’s suffering was not meaningless. It served the purpose of rescuing humanity from eternal separation from God.
Our giving should also be purposeful.
Before giving, it’s worth asking:
Is this gift beneficial to the recipient?
Is it something they truly need?
What people want is not always what they need. God Himself does not grant requests that would harm us (1 John 5:14).
A thoughtful, useful gift, even if inexpensive, often carries far more value than something costly but impractical.
It’s not the price that matters most, but the purpose and usefulness of the gift.
Final Thoughts: Following God’s Example
God has given us many blessings, but above all, He gave us His Son.
In Jesus Christ, we find salvation, redemption, reconciliation with God, and eternal life.
“Whoever has the Son has life.” (1 John 5:12, ESV)
The least we can do in response is to follow God’s example and reflect His heart in our own giving.
Remember God’s Model of Giving with P.L.U.S.
Purposeful
Loving
Unconditional
Sacrificial
May our giving, especially during the Christmas season, point others to the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is God’s greatest gift to humanity?
God’s greatest gift is salvation through Jesus Christ. According to Scripture, salvation is given by grace through faith, not earned by works (Ephesians 2:8–9). Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, believers receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Why is salvation called a gift in the Bible?
Salvation is called a gift because it cannot be earned, bought, or deserved. It is freely given by God out of love and received by faith. This highlights God’s grace and removes all human boasting.
What does the Bible teach about Christian gift-giving?
The Bible teaches that giving should be motivated by love, unconditional, sacrificial, and purposeful—modeled after God’s giving of His Son (John 3:16). Christian giving reflects God’s character rather than obligation or recognition.
How can Christians apply God’s example of giving today?
Christians can apply God’s example by giving generously, loving others without expecting anything in return, and sharing both material help and the message of salvation. True giving points others to Christ and glorifies God.
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Recommended Resource:
Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ by Timothy Keller
This New York Times bestseller offers a profound and thought-provoking look at the nativity story. Keller uncovers the surprising background of Jesus’ birth, revealing the hope, grace, and salvation embedded in this familiar yet often overlooked story.