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Worldview Analysis of The Gift of Magi
In today’s world, money and material gifts are considered as measurements of love.
However, real love is proved and shown not by wealth but by sacrifice and selfless giving. O.
Henry’s short story The Gift of the Magi contains a story of Jim and Della, a poor married
couple, who try to give any meaningful Chirsitmas gifts for each other. Jim decided to sell his
watch to buy a comb for Della’s hair, while Della sold her beautiful hair to buy a new chain
for Jim’s watch. Even though their presents for each other became useless, the actions of
them show deep love and sacrifice for one another. In the end, the narrator states that they are
the wisest givers because of their selfless love. The story The Gift of the Magi reveals several
aspects of biblical worldview.
First of all, The Gift of the Magi's view of love shows that real love requires
selflessness and sacrifice. Della wants to buy a meaningful gift to Jim for Christmas, so she
decides to sell her hair; “Will you buy my hair?” (Henry, The Gift of the Magi). The scene
fully shows that Della values Jim more than her own beauty. The love toward Jim makes her
give up her greatest treasure. According to scholars, Christian agape is a selfless love that
does not focus on seeking personal gain but puts others first.1 Burns explains that agape is a
“radically self-giving love” and a form of divine giving that “does not take the self into
account.”2 John 15:13 (KJV) states, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends.” This verse tells that through the sacrifice the greatest love is shown.
Della’s willingness to give up her hair reflects this biblical understanding of love.
Accordingly, a view of love in the story presents that closely reflects the biblical teaching of
sacrificial love.
Secondly, the view of material possessions in The Gift of the Magi tells that wealth is
not more valuable than love. The narrator emphasizes their poorness by stating, “One dollar
1
Chalene P. E. Burns, “Self-Sacrificial Love: Evolutionary Deception or Theological Reality?” Cross
Currents 57, no 1 (spring 2007): 110.
2
Burns, “Self-Sacrificial Love” 110.
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and eighty-seven cents. That was all” (Henry, The Gift of the Magi). According to this scene,
they still want to give meaningful gifts to each other even though Jim and Della have little
money. Their actions show that material wealth is not more important than their relationship.
Many Scholars state that materialism often leads to dissatisfaction with life and lower well
being rather than true happiness.3 Matthew 6:21 says. “For where your treasure is, there will
your heart be also.” This verse teaches that true treasure is not material wealth but the mind
of heart. Jim and Della show that love has greater value than possessions by valuing each
other more than money. Therefore, the story reflects a biblical worldview that values love
over material wealth.
Third, one view in The Gift of the Magi is about wisdom. The view reveals that true
wisdom is found in selfless giving. The narrator concludes that “of all who give gifts these
two were the wisest” (Henry, The Gift of the Magi). Jim and Della both give up their most
valuable possessions. This cloud looks foolish, however the narrator states them wise
because their actions are motivated by love rather than material gain. True love and
generosity are shown by their willingness to sacrifice for each other. Acts 20:35 says, “It is
more blessed to give than to receive.” Biblical Scholars argue that this verse means giving to
others is more blessed than receiving.4 This shows that real wisdom is seen when people give
to others without thinking of themselves. Jim and Della’s behavior while giving up their own
things for each other show this. The Story’s understanding of wisdom can seem to agree with
the biblical view that selfless giving reflects true spiritual wisdom.
In conclusion, The Gift of the Magi describes sacrificial love and selfless giving, so
that reveals several aspects of a biblical worldview. This story could be beneficial to
Christian readers because it reminds them that true love is demonstrated through sacrifice
3
Helen Inseng Duh, Hong Yu, and Yuefeng Ni, “Chinese Millennials’ Happiness and Materialism:
Explanations from Two Life-Course Theories, Self-Esteem, and Money-Attitudes,” Journal of
Consumer Affairs 55, no. 4 (2021): 1307.
4
David Guzik, Study Guide for Acts 20 (Blue Letter Bible, 2018), commentary on Acts 20:35.
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rather than material wealth. Also, it teaches believers to put relationships before material
things and to value generosity. In today's society, people usually focus too much on money
and success, but this story reminds readers of the biblical teaching that giving and loving
others are more important than receiving. Christian can better learn how to practice biblical
love and wisdom in their everyday lives, by reading this literary work.
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Bibliography
Burns, Charlene P. E. “Self-Sacrificail Love: Evolutionary Deception or Theological
Reality?” Cross Currents 57, no. 1 Spring 2007: 102-115.
Duh, Helen Inseng, Hong Yu, and Yuefeng Ni. “Chinese Millennials’ Happiness and
Materialism: Explanations from Two Life-Course Theories, Self-Esteem, and
Money-Attitudes.” Journal of Consumer Affairs 555, no. 4 (2021): 1306-1332.
Guzik, David. Study Guide for Acts 20. Blue Letter Bible, 2018.
Henry, O. “The Gift of the Magi. Project Gutenberg.
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Accessed February 23, 2026.
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/7256/pg7256-images.html