Leviticus 8 shows us the importance of offering gifts that are pleasing to God. If you're committed to your relationship with your spouse, you need to understand the importance of giving gifts that are pleasing to him or her.

If you're to become an effective gift giver, you may have to change your attitude about money. Some of us have a spending orientation. We feel good about ourselves when we're spending money. Others have a saving and investing perspective. We feel good when we're saving money and investing it wisely.

If you're a spender, you will have little difficulty purchasing gifts for your spouse; but if you're a saver, you will experience emotional resistance to the idea of spending money as an expression of love. You don't purchase things for yourself; why should you purchase things for your spouse? But that attitude fails to recognize that you are indeed purchasing things for yourself.

You are investing in your relationship and filling your spouse's emotional love tank. With a full tank, he or she will likely reciprocate emotional love to you in a language you will understand. When both persons' emotional needs are met, your relationship will take on a whole new dimension.

Take time to pray individually or together thanking God for the monetary blessings He has given you. Confess times when you misused your blessings. Ask Him to guide your decision-making as you invest in your relationship.

If you have more time, discuss or reflect on these questions:

How would you describe your attitude toward money? Where do you suppose your attitude came from? What fills your loved one's 'love tank'? Figure it out in a quiz here. What adjustments will you need to make in order to keep your loved one's love tank filled?

Consider these passages for further study on Gift Giving:

Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.

2 Corinthians 9:6  Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

When giving, it's best to support your local congregation. Here is mine, and they have a way online to give. Also, participation in local charities like helping children with their essentials like underwear and socks.

Here is a way this month to give by purchasing through our Amazon gift link or Avon Fundraiser HERE.

How do you feel when you give and make a wise investment?