Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV
The unwrapped gifts sit stacked in the corner. Each one is labeled, waiting to be dressed in colorful wrapping for its big moment on Christmas morning.
It’s my job to come up with “The List” based on the Christmas wishes wrangled from our kids and grandkids, check it twice, make the purchases, and then label the items for wrapping. As hard as I may try to get it right, I do not doubt that I have made some – hopefully, not too many – incorrect choices. Colors, sizes, styles, and brands – there are so many ways to get it wrong!
Thankfully, our loving family is gracious and ready to forgive any poor choices I may make, that is, if the item can be returned after Christmas.
The time-consuming chore of present-wrapping is expertly handled in our home by Santa Grandpa. That man makes sure every paper fold is even, every corner is crisp, and every edge is tucked neatly out of sight. Then he carefully positions each gift under the tree balancing sizes to maximize visual effect and ensure ease of access for optimal distribution. Ho-Ho-Ho – that’s my sweet man!
No matter the size of our gift budgets, most of us take great pains to do our best when we give gifts to those we love. We want to please and delight those we love and care about. Gifts are a way to show others that they have a place in our hearts, minds, and lives. Gifts say, “You are special to me,” “I appreciate you,” and “I love you.”
Gift-giving is a good thing if our motivations for giving are unselfish, God-pleasing, and financially responsible.
What we cannot forget is that as believers, we are to practice gift-giving throughout the year, day in and day out. Gift-giving is not reserved for holidays or birthdays.
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you–that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Romans 1:11-12 ESV
The Apostle Paul had not yet had the opportunity to travel to Rome on his missionary tours when he wrote his letter to the Roman churches. Still, Paul had a heart for the Gentile and Jewish Christians living in the capital city of the Roman Empire.
Paul wrote in his letter to the churches in Rome, “Without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers” (Romans 1:9-10). He goes on to say that he “longs” to see them. The word “longs” (Gk. epipotheō) expresses great yearning, desire, and craving – all for people whom Paul had never met. Such was the heart of this man of God.
Why, you may ask, was Paul so eager to meet with people he didn’t even know?
Paul answers that question in Romans 1:11-12. This is my paraphrase of Paul’s message:
I have gifts for you. Spiritual gifts that will strengthen your faith and bring encouragement to your hearts. It’s encouraging to me to give you these gifts, and I will be encouraged by you, your faith, and your receptivity to the gifts that I bring. Our encouragement will be mutual! That’s why I can’t wait to see you all. (my paraphrase)
Gift-giving brings mutual encouragement and joy!
We are all given spiritual gifts that we are to share with our sisters and brothers in Christ – in fact, with all that we meet. Just as we are to share and exercise our gifts, we are to develop and demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in all aspects of our lives.
Our gifts and our fruit are significant parts of our testimony and witness; they often speak much louder than our spoken testimony.
… But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
1 Corinthians 7:7 ESV
Several years ago, I had a sweet conversation with a lovely Christian woman. Miss “C” is a saucy, curly white-haired senior with sparkling blue eyes, a ready smile, a love for laughter, and arms made for hugs. She is truly a sweetheart. Our conversation was centered on spiritual gifts.
Tears began to form in her eyes and her lower lip trembled, as she said, “I have no gifts. God hasn’t gifted me in any way.”
I was so happy to tell her that she was wrong. Her expression immediately shifted from “sad-I-have-no-gift” to “don’t-you-try-to-pull-one-on-this-old-lady!”
“Miss ‘C,’ has no one ever told you before that God has given you the gift of encouragement? You are the most encouraging person that I have ever met.”
“Your joy is contagious. Your smile is heartwarming. You have the love of Jesus in your heart, and you share that love easily and openly with everyone you meet. You see good things in others and make a point to tell them you see it and appreciate it. You encourage your sisters- and brothers-in-Christ to carry on. Dear lady, that is a gift from God.”
At this point, tears were falling down her cheeks, but her smile was beautiful. For the first time in her 80+ years, Miss “C” realized that God had graciously given her a gift that she had been generously and unselfishly giving to others for years without knowing it for what it was. It was her gift from God that was meant to be shared. It was an offering of faithful service to her Father.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…
Romans 12:6 ESV
God has gifted us all differently and specifically. Some gifts may be ours for a lifetime, others are ours only long enough to share or use to serve. Whatever the gift that God has given to you in this moment, it is the gift you need to give to others.
Perhaps you’re not sure what gift or gifts have been given to you.
– Pray and ask God to show you what it is that you are meant to share with others.
– Spend some time on self-examination. Is there sin in your life that needs to be repented so that you can be free to experience and freely share the gifts that God places in your hands?
– Consider the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25 ESV). Are you practicing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Have you crucified the passions and desires of the flesh?
– Focus on the first three – prayer, self-examination-repentance-renewal, and practice of the Fruits of the Spirit – and you will be well-positioned to understand and use the spiritual gifts that God has given to you or will give you. Realize that the purpose of all gifts is to build up the body of Christ, both the individual and The Church. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 12-31).
After talking about spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, Paul reminds his readers in the following chapter (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) that as good and necessary as those gifts are, it is faith, hope, and love that abide. He concludes the chapter with these words, “But the greatest of these is love.”
So many gifts have been showered upon us by the Father of Light – spiritual gifts, fruit of the Spirit, faith, love, hope, and so much more. We are blessed in abundance and fully equipped to become Gift-Givers.
And Friend, we have received the Ultimate Gift.
The greatest gift and the most amazing demonstration of love was shown by God when He sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ, as the Redeemer and Savior of the world for all who will believe.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God….
Ephesians 2:8 ESV
Regardless of how God has chosen to gift you, as a redeemed child of the Almighty, there is no greater gift that you can share with someone than the Good News of Jesus Christ.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 ESV
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luk 2:10-11 ESV
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV
This Christmas share news of God’s Ultimate Gift – Jesus Christ.