Several years ago I read Marcel Mauss’s anthropological classic “The Gift”. It was one of the driest books I have ever read, made what I thought were several inaccurate conclusions, and really left me with a bitter taste in my brain. What it did accomplish, however, was impressing upon me just how complicated gift-giving can be in various cultures.
I’ve been thinking lately about how the prophetic translates to gift giving. This was really just a mental exercise, but I wanted to write about what I figured out. Considering one-person to one-person giving, here are some intricacies.
- Context of the gift-receiver:
- in need
- not in need
This seems obvious but is a key element in giving. It makes sense that we would give to someone in need, but in some rare cases it makes sense to give to someone not in need. Someone who is not in need may need to be humbled, for example. After all, nobody wants to be “in need”, as humans often equate this with “not being good or capable”, which is absurd but is nonetheless a classic bias. Sometimes the wealthy need to be gifted, too.
- Appearance of the gift-receiver:
- outwardly wealthy
- not outwardly wealthy
Considering our previous notes about context, we now have four positions: outwardly wealthy (in need), outwardly wealthy (not in need), not outwardly wealthy (in need), not outwardly wealthy (not in need).
I’m starting to feel like a Sensor in the Myers-Briggs types!
The last key:
- Desire of the gift-receiver:
- wanting a small thing as a sign from God
- wanting a large thing as a sign from God
- wanting words as a sign from God
- not wanting anything as a sign from God
People often do not expect large things from God. Ever paid for one month’s rent for another person? Probably not because that would probably be difficult to muster. But it should not be ruled out.
Also, things may be useful or they may be symbolic.
So in the context of prophetic giving: you cannot assume need based on appearance. If I were to drive my car around praying who to present a gift to, it would make just as much sense to be driving in a “wealthy” neighborhood as it would be a “poor” neighborhood. The distinction is not wrong to make, however, and it’s possible to be called to one or the other. The point is not to ignore social indicators, it’s to ignore your own prejudice in favor of God’s will.
Giving does not always involve physical objects. Sometimes it involves words of knowledge, encouragement, or prophecy. Some people want a sign from God, some have never expected one and may be in for a surprise.
And (last point)…
- Some people must be asked what they want
This is always difficult. What will they ask for? Can I or a group provide this? Yet Jesus asked the man at the well, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41). If you are praying to give, you must accept that there may be times where God will not tell you what to give and you must ask the individual what they want.
Final thoughts:
- Common needs:
- prayer
- groceries
- gas money
- rent
- funding
- a Bible
- car repairs
- time
- Uncommon needs (that would be fun to give):
- expensive outdoor gear
- cell phones
- job connections
- Legos (I have thought about giving people Lego mini-figures designed to look like them, but I have to keep my stock fresh, so I’d have to actually order the pieces before giving them away 🙂 )