Have you heard of the 7/11 rule of gift giving?
At first glance, the 7/11 rule for gift-giving seems like a fool-proof ratio of how big, how expensive, how often gifts should be given. While I have shared ideas about gift-giving structure, this rule has nothing to do with that.
This is a rule for what Jennifer Lee* calls soul-keeping (like house-keeping, but internal).
During his sermon on the mount, Jesus delivers the blueprint for such soul-keeping, all while subtly revealing Himself as the true keeper of souls. These rules of thumb flip the status-quo on what it means to flourish.
Toward the end of his keynote, Jesus urges us to get honest in our prayers.
“Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 CSB
Three types of women need to hear this:
—the gal who feels guilty about treating God like Santa Clause or a genie in the past
—the DIY woman who believes God helps those who help themselves
—the dear heart who feels abandoned by the Lord when a prayer was left unanswered
Just to be clear: I am all 3 types.
Ignoring our neediness and downplaying our desires always creates distance between us and our loving Father. But everything changes when we see ourselves as Jesus does. Lean in as you read the next verses. Can you hear the warmth and anticipation in His voice?
“Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?”
And then there’s Matthew 7:11, where our gift giving rule comes from:
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:9-11 CSB
On the last week of school, my daughter not-so-subtly said, “I can’t wait to see how you are going to make the last day of school extra fun.”
Just like Jesus said, I was delighted to treat her (and her siblings)!
As I planned the surprise, the Lord brought to mind all the gifts HE has put on the front porch of my life lately:
• A healthy and hilarious baby girl
• House renovations that are nearly finished
• A walk in the sunshine with my man
• Creativity and stamina for behavior set-backs
• Baseball earrings handmade by a fellow t-ball mom-friend
• A giant bag of trailmix from a church brother
That’s the simplicity of the 7/11 rule: as you give gifts, remember the gifts God is giving you!
Think of how often you give a gift. If you keep the 7/11 rule in mind, you will have annual, monthly, and sometimes even weekly reminders of God’s love for YOU as you shower love on others.
*Growing Slow by Jennifer Dukes Lee. Highly recommend
