What Did You Give?

I know this is the season for giving, but all year long I am inundated by people who want to give me things. Some want to give me a three-day vacation to some resort or another. I probably receive at least 6 to 8 offers a week from those who want to give me a credit card. That because I am pre-qualified! Just as a side note; I always wonder why it always comes with an application if I’ve already been pre-qualified? I get emails from many who want to give me a free laptop. I even get several offers a month from some guy or gal who has about $50,000,000 in the bank and they want nothing more than to give me 10% or so. It almost sounds too good to be true, but certainly the ones telling me how they love Jesus wouldn’t lie to me, would they? Did you know I can get a free trial membership for everything from a health club to a discount warehouse? There are a score of those who what nothing more than to give me something. I have to be one of the luckiest individuals in the world! What a generous nation we live in!

When the Christmas season arrives, we all know it is the season for giving. Generally speaking, immediately following Christmas what’s the first question someone will ask? “What did you get for Christmas?” It’s a natural question. However, my wife enjoys asking others, “What did you give for Christmas?” Most of the time they start to list who gave them what. She has to stop them to say, “No, I didn’t ask what you got, I asked you what you gave.” That can set anyone back for a moment - what did I give? Who cares what I gave? It’s what I got that matters!

The attitude of God always seems to be one of consistently giving. John 3:16, “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.” And I John 5:11 says, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” With that salvation in Christ we can now have peace. In John 14:27 Jesus said, “Peace I leave you; My peace I give you.” Before Christ left His earthly ministry to join His Father in heaven, He told us He would give us another Counselor to be with us at all times. Thus, He sent the Holy Spirit. John 14:16,17, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.”

In the song about the little drummer boy, we learn that he has no gift to bring because he too is a poor boy. The only thing he can offer is a tune from his drum. Then again, what can any of us give a King? Especially when He is the King of the Universe! God gave His Son. His Son Jesus gave His life. What can we give in return? God is not interested in our silver or gold; why should He be, He already owns the world and everything in it. But there is something we can give God - that which He really wants most. We can offer Him ourselves. Romans 12 verses 1 and 2 tells us, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The one thing God would love to have from us is ourselves. He would love to have our devotion. When asked what were the greatest of all the commandments, Christ did not hesitate for a moment to say, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40.

So, what will you give this year? What will you give to the One who is most deserving of our time, talents, and devotions?

Happy Birthday, Jesus!