Wednesday of the 7th Week of Eastertide
Acts 20:28-38
Jn 17:11-19
“There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”
I used to associate giving with gifting — with mostly monetary, or physical, gifts. I thought it was such a cliché to say, “It’s the thought that counts.” How would you even know someone is thinking of you unless there’s some physical evidence?
For me, the easiest way to give was through monetary gifts — whether to charity, the church, or as a wedding gift. But the lack of effort often meant I was emotionally detached from the giving. It was simply an act of giving from abundance, with little emotion or heart behind it — and, as a result, no happiness was derived. It was just something I did regularly.
Then there was the gift-giving to my friends and loved ones. For me, this kind of giving had to be intentional. When I prepared a gift, I had a specific person in mind. It was a way of revealing a part of my heart.
With that mindset, I used to pour a lot of time and energy into gift-giving. The closer the friend or family member, the more I would invest — agonising over the perfect gift to show how much I loved and appreciated them. Birthdays, festive seasons, anniversaries… I took gifting so seriously that I even kept a record of what I bought each year to avoid repeats.
While I was happy to give in this way, it was also exhausting. I kept trying to outdo myself year after year. The planning began earlier and earlier. And with that effort came expectation — that the recipient would love the gift. I’d feel disappointed if their reaction wasn’t what I had hoped for. My ‘happiness’ in giving became conditional and stressful.
In recent years, I’ve stopped going to such lengths to buy gifts. Perhaps it’s because I’ve grown older (and hopefully wiser), but giving lavish gifts has become less meaningful. Instead, we gather for a good meal to celebrate special occasions. I’ve come to realise that the time we share and the conversations we have are what spark joy and create lasting memories — far more than any physical gift could.
It’s with this same realisation that I’ve found myself giving more in other ways, beyond monetary and physical gifts. It’s the giving of my heart, my presence, my time that now matters most.
Through volunteering and serving in church, I’ve found joy in giving. Yes, monetary contributions are still an important form of support, but for me, they now go hand in hand with the giving of myself. In fact, I’m preparing to embark on my first mission trip to Cambodia next week — a new way of offering my time and heart in service. As St. Paul writes, “…we must exert ourselves to support the weak…”. It is only through intentionality and effort that I’ve come to truly experience the words of Jesus — “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”
Brother and sisters, as the Easter season draws to a close and we return to Ordinary Time, have you considered how you might give — of your time, your heart, your presence — in this season of your life?
(Today’s OXYGEN by Esther Leet)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach us to give not just from our abundance, but from our hearts. Help us to understand that true giving isn’t measured by the cost of the gift, but by the love and intention behind it. May we grow in generosity, not just with our resources, but with our time, attention, and presence. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for the many opportunities You give us to love through giving. Thank you for showing us that happiness is found not in what we receive, but in how we offer ourselves to others. May we never tire of giving, knowing that You are the source of every good and perfect gift. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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