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Editor’s
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RECEIVING AND GIVING GIFTS
This is the season of the year when the world is the most prone
to giving gifts more than at any other time.
Gift giving is not new. It had its origin in God Himself. He gave man
the gift of life when He breathed into him the breath of life back in the
Garden of Eden six thousand years ago. In John 3:16-17 we read of the greatest
of all gifts to men, “For
God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son
into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Praise God for His willingness and love in
giving His precious Son for the entire world. If He had not done this we all
would still be living (or dying) in our sins without hope of a future of joy
and perfection through belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.
One other well
known scenario of gift-giving is when the Magi from the East followed a star,
bringing them to Bethlehem where they found Jesus, probably now a young child
of about two years of age, living in a
house with His parents (Matthew 2:11). The Scriptures say they worshipped
Him and gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Little did the Magi know
just how much their gifts would be the means that Joseph, Mary and Jesus would
need to sustain their lives during their flight and stay in
Romans 12:6-8 tells us that
as a body of believers, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we have been given a
diversity of gifts. “We have different gifts, according
to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion
to his faith. If it is serving, let him
serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the
needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern
diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Note that all these gifts are for the purpose of using them to bless
others and build up the church…
Likewise, 1
Corinthians 12:27-30 list more gifts given to the body of Christ’s followers.
These also show the diversity of gifts to be used for the benefit of others.
The gifts we receive from God are not for the purpose of selfishly keeping them
for ourselves but are to be used for the edifying and blessing of the church.
Though one gift is
given to one and another gift to someone else, Paul goes on to tell us that
there is one gift that is common to all of us that we should be seeking, which
is godly love whose important qualities are listed so beautifully in 1
Corinthians 13.
The greatest gift
God gave was prompted by His love as we saw in the opening paragraph. God is
working in our lives to develop this same love is us that we, too, may use it
for others and in so doing glorify His Holy Name. Listen to the word of the
Apostle John on this point in 1 John 4:7-12, “Dear friends, let us love one
another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves,
has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because
God is love. This is how God showed
His love among us: He sent His One and Only Son into the world that we might
live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and
sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so
loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if
we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”
May we give the
gift of love to others whenever we have opportunity. Galatians 6:10 tells us how,
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all
people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Doing good unto
others is a gift that all of us can afford.
Romans
12:20-21 tells us of a way to go the extra mile in gift giving, “On the contrary, If your enemy is
hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this,
you will heap burning coals on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Love always gives, expecting nothing in
return. It is always concerned for the welfare of others. Gifts given in love
are one way that we can lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew
For anyone to be a
giver there must be a receiver. Odd as it may seem, many are very reluctant to
be receivers. There are probably many reasons why this is so. It could be a
matter of pride, not wanting to feel obligated, or other carnal reasons. By
refusing to accept a heartfelt gift from someone, we not only deprive
ourselves, but we are depriving the giver of the blessedness of giving. May we
always be gracious receivers appreciating the love behind the gift, whatever
the occasion might be, and thanking God for generous, loving and thoughtful
friends, for in receiving graciously we can also be givers! Most of all, however, let us never forget to
be thankful for the greatest of all gifts, Jesus Christ, the Son of God who, at
great cost, has redeemed us from our sins and given us eternal life and reconciled
us back to God!. E. Weeks