(Paul Merrill writes here every First Friday.)

It’s that time of year when we buy gifts for others. Sometimes we give unselfishly – thinking totally of the other’s needs. And sometimes we give thinking of ourselves.

I gave a selfish gift as a wedding present for Heather – a rugged sports watch. I thought she would enjoy timing her exercises. No. What she wanted was something delicate and feminine – like a sweater or a necklace. Over the years, I slowly learned that lesson… no more sports watches.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.” When Jesus said that in Matthew 6:19, he may not have been thinking of giving gifts to others. But maybe He was! What if this Christmas, we gave time rather than something that would be an “earthly” treasure. If you’re like me, it is easier to pull out my checkbook than to invest time in someone – someone who may not be able to give back.

I was inspired last Saturday. I saw a couple I have known for years at our local library. They brought some food to a homeless man they’ve befriended. He likes to hang out at the library. It’s clean and bright – and better than the local parks when it gets cold outside. He has no address, so they were hoping to find him there.

So rarely am I willing to even think of such a thing – doing it? That’s even further from my little world.

And giving time to my wife or kids? I’m challenged to think of doing something that they want to do. This Christmas, I’m planning to make a coupon booklet for at least one of them, with some ideas on how we can spend time together.