Spiritual Gift Giving

[PATrobas]

Reminders - Give the most valuable gift

            Why do we get pre-occupied every year with the trappings of a commercialized and materialistic Christmas? At least I do, to some extent. We always say that the most important thing about Christmas is Jesus, then go about doing the exact opposite of what He taught us, concerning things, debt, and money, in the name of celebrating His birth. Jesus said this about things and money, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.” ^{Luke 12:15} and, “You cannot serve God and mammon [money].” Then Paul said this about debt and money, “Owe no man anything, but to love one another:” ^{Romans 13:8} and, “For the love of money is the root of all evil.”^{1 Timothy 6:10} Why do we go into debt year after year, spending money we don’t have, on things that aren’t needed, to give to people that we are often reluctant to talk to about Jesus? Shouldn’t He be the center of Christmas?

            Christmas is supposed to be about the birth and first coming of the Savior of the world. Let’s take a quick look at the spiritual, rather than the material aspect of receiving and giving. 1) Receiving: “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ^{John 3:16} This is the gift of God to each of us, but it must be received by faith. If you haven’t received the gift of eternal life yet, don’t leave it unopened and unused. The gift is a person, not a religion. Jesus never forces anyone to receive Him, but He is there to be taken if you will believe His Word. 2) Giving: If you do have the gift of salvation, it multiplies itself as you give it away to others. What I mean is, that by telling others about what you have received and let them see the benefits of having it, they will realize the importance of possessing the same gift for themselves and will also want to pass it on.

            Final Thoughts: We only have one thing to give to God that is of any value to Him: ourselves. We are to present our bodies to Him every day so He will have a vessel He can fill with Himself and use for His glory. ^{Romans 12:1} The best thing we can give to others that is of any real value is also ourselves. The best gift is not what we can buy with our money. Try it this year. Explain to your friends and family that your gift to them will be an hour of yourself, one on one, in honest conversation about what is most important to you in that relationship with them. You might talk about family history, or sharing what it was like growing up, favorite memories, or how you came to be born again. If you can’t meet face to face, there are some good communication tools almost everybody has on their computer or phone. If those logistics don’t work, how about a handwritten letter to them? Whatever you do, or however you do it, make sure it is coming from your heart and leave the commercialism out this year. You won’t regret it, and neither will they.

Blessings to you, from me.