A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. —Proverbs 18:16
The above proverb can be seen in a few different ways. We can see it as describing how the giving of gifts—i.e. presents—can affect our relationships with others. Whether it’s right or not, the person who is always giving gifts often gains friends and has influence with others. Everyone likes a gift, so those who bring them reap the benefits of doing so.
We could also see this proverb as describing how a man’s gift—i.e. his skill—can open up opportunities for him. If a person is skilled at his craft, that giftedness could give him the chance to go places and meet people he wouldn’t have otherwise.
Today, I was thinking about these two different ways of looking at gifts—something we give vs. something we’re skilled in—and what would happen if they converged in our lives. What if the gifts we give others are more than just things we can purchase at the store, but are the very things we ourselves are gifted in? What if we began to see the areas we are “gifted” in as opportunities to “give” to others, realizing that our skills may not be just gifts to us, but could also be our gift to others?
In this case, what we give to others wouldn’t be something external, and so it couldn’t be confused with flattery or bribery. Rather, it would be intrinsic to who we are and what we’re gifted to do. And as the recipient realizes that our gift is given without the goal of getting something in return, not only will they be able to enjoy our gift to them, but we ourselves will also the see the goodwill that comes with the giving of gifts. Not because that’s what we’re looking for, but because that’s what naturally happens.