There’s a piece of artwork on my desk that’s quite valuable—at least to me.

One of my kids took some crayons and drew a picture of a house and five stick people. I think it’s a picture of our family. (The dad in this picture is much taller than I am. 😊)

The artwork is valuable to me, not because of the cost of materials that were required in its making but because of who gave it. For those who see things mathematically, here’s the formula: VALUE = (GIVER) x (GIFT).

The more you love the giver, the more you will value their gift. The more you despise the giver, the more you will despise their gift.

One day a sinful woman (GIVER) poured out some perfume (GIFT) on Jesus. The people who witnessed this took offense because in their minds, the identity of the giver negated the value of the gift. Jesus should have rejected both, but instead he highly valued both. He even explained why: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown” (Luke 7:47).

Her gift was valuable, not because of its intrinsic value but because of who she was. She was a loved daughter of God who overflowed with thankfulness.

Today you will have the opportunity to show great love for God through the gifts you extend to others. He is pleased with them because of who you are: a child of God himself.