Gift-Giving God
My daughter, Evelyn, is a gift-giver. Her boyfriend is going on an ice-fishing trip with his buddies, so she made him cookies and a basket of fish/ice-related items. My son, Javier, has also become quite the gift guy. The two of them sought, bought, crafted and baked their way through Christmas gifts this year. Genetically speaking, they must get this trait from their mother.
Giving gifts is one way that we catch glimpses of who God is. As we look at our own imperfect way of doing things…we know that God gives the very best, and He gives to everyone, as He determines.
But, you know…when we give gifts, we sometimes don’t think about it more than thinking “oh, they’ll like this.” When God give gifts, He gives them so that we will use them. When Jesus healed the blind man or the demon-possessed, they were given sight and freedom…and, those gifts were used to tell of God’s great love. When He gives us gifts of teaching, or speaking in other tongues or languages…they are for the express purpose of ministering to people – not, so that we can feel good, look good or be good at something.
Our goodness is found in the perfection of Jesus Christ, who lived the life we never could. He died on the cross under the weight of sin we could never carry. He rose again on the third day to overcome the death we don’t have to die. Those are tremendous gifts we could never give, but we receive them and put them to use in how we live.
Consider your gifts. Some of you have given the gift of life in your child-bearing years. Some of you still give the gift of life, contained in your smile and strength to press on to the next day. Perhaps you give a word of encouragement as you watch the younger generation struggle with things you’ve already passed on your journey. Pass along the wisdom of your years!
A wise, older man, once told me that he knows what it’s like to be young: “I’ve been your age”, he said, “but, you have no idea what it’s like to be old, hey.” [He said the “hey” at the end of most of his sentences.] I usually responded with, “You’re right, I don’t know, but you can teach me what you’ve learned.”
You have something to give…because God has first gifted you.
Giving gifts is one way that we catch glimpses of who God is. As we look at our own imperfect way of doing things…we know that God gives the very best, and He gives to everyone, as He determines.
But, you know…when we give gifts, we sometimes don’t think about it more than thinking “oh, they’ll like this.” When God give gifts, He gives them so that we will use them. When Jesus healed the blind man or the demon-possessed, they were given sight and freedom…and, those gifts were used to tell of God’s great love. When He gives us gifts of teaching, or speaking in other tongues or languages…they are for the express purpose of ministering to people – not, so that we can feel good, look good or be good at something.
Our goodness is found in the perfection of Jesus Christ, who lived the life we never could. He died on the cross under the weight of sin we could never carry. He rose again on the third day to overcome the death we don’t have to die. Those are tremendous gifts we could never give, but we receive them and put them to use in how we live.
Consider your gifts. Some of you have given the gift of life in your child-bearing years. Some of you still give the gift of life, contained in your smile and strength to press on to the next day. Perhaps you give a word of encouragement as you watch the younger generation struggle with things you’ve already passed on your journey. Pass along the wisdom of your years!
A wise, older man, once told me that he knows what it’s like to be young: “I’ve been your age”, he said, “but, you have no idea what it’s like to be old, hey.” [He said the “hey” at the end of most of his sentences.] I usually responded with, “You’re right, I don’t know, but you can teach me what you’ve learned.”
You have something to give…because God has first gifted you.
Pastor James Gomez
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Sturgeon Bay
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Sturgeon Bay
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