What does the Bible say about gifts received from other people?
Answer
There are quite a few scriptures that speak only of the fact that people gave gifts, including the gifts by the unspecified number of wise men to the baby Jesus. There are a number of passages (Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 17:23; Proverbs 29:4, etc.) that condemn the taking of gifts. These passages, however, are talking about taking bribes to pervert justice.
In 2 Corinthians 1:11 Paul thanked people or congregations for their gifts of support. Proverbs 21:14 talks about the benefit of gifts in averting anger (a fact husbands have known throughout the years). Perhaps the best-known passage is Acts 20:35, where Paul quotes Jesus as saying “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” But if it is blessed to give, there must also be a receiver to allow the blessing.