You see an ad asking for volunteers to deliver to needy families some coats, hats and gloves that have been purchased by a local charity. You volunteer to make six deliveries. At each home, the families shower you with praise for these thoughtful gifts. All day long you keep reminding them that you are only the messenger and that the gifts really came from the charity.

In a way, this story is a true parallel to our lives as we dispense God’s gifts, whether that be caring for our families, supporting ministries that share Jesus or sharing something with a neighbor who lives next door.

Since all the gifts in our lives are God’s gifts, we find ourselves constantly reminding those who thank us that we are simply sharing God’s things with them. We are not really being generous. We are not leaving a personal legacy. We are simply being faithful stewards with God’s gifts, following through on the good works He prepared in advance for us to do, for which He prepared us with His gifts.

St. Paul wrote in Galatians 3, “So whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (emphasis mine). That perspective reflects a heart captured by God’s grace, intent on sharing that grace with everyone. Through His gifts God’s saves with His Gospel.

Jason Jones, CGP, CDE, is Saint John’s Gift Planning Counselor. Jason works with individuals in our congregation who want to discover the lifetime plan that God has planted in their heart. He will help them to use this plan to Transfer the Blessings God has given them to their family and the ministries they love. This service comes to you at no cost as a member of Saint John’s. To schedule a free meeting with Jason or ask questions about this special opportunity, visit www.StJohnsFC.org/transfer-the-blessings, call (970) 988-0305 or email Jason.Jones@lfnd.org.