GOD GIVES US GIFTS
Romans 12:3-8
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
God didn’t need to give us any gifts at all. He is perfectly self sufficient, and could be self satisfied. He needs nothing from us and if he had nothing to do with us ever again by all rights and purposes He would be completely fine. He is independent of us! However, He loves us a ton. That comes from his heart!
James 1:17
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
God gives us good things in life to help us remember Him and have hope amidst darkness. The context of this verse is actually in dealing with trials in the world. But it points to a key truth that we can hold onto as believers.
Everything Good, every single good thing, comes from Our Father. Each one of us has been crafted a very specific way by our Father in Heaven. And there are specific moments that existence gives to us that are by definition “good.”
Matthew 7:9-11
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
WE GIVE GIFTS AS GOD DOES
God gives gifts because He wants to, out of a heart of Love.
Sometimes we have no control over how a person is going to take a gift. We get them something expensive or cheap, thoughtful or seemingly minor, what seems to count the most in blessing somebody is the heart in which it was given.
When God gives he always gives to lead us into closer communion with Him. Thats why when we ask to be millionaires God says no! Because that’s not going to lead us to Him, it’ll lead us to ourselves! But he gives us things that bless our hearts, and make us fall more in love with Him. So give gifts THAT WAY.
IT ISN’T ABOUT US-IT’S ABOUT JESUS
If you are going to get somebody a gift this Christmas, ask yourself “am I looking at this as a chore or something I get to do?” Each gifting opportunity is a chance to show somebody how much you care about them and how much you want to keep on knowing them more and more!
John 3:16
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.
The key word is "gave." God is independent and doesn’t need to give us gifts. But He gives us gifts anyways. He loves us, He knows us, and He loves to see us happy. Moreover, He gives us these gifts to draw us into deeper relationship with Him! And His greatest gift He has ever given is Jesus.
When we give gifts it is a reflection of Christ to those we are giving to
