DECEMBER 8, 2015
The Perfect
Gift
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts. -Psalm 96:8
Read:
Romans
12:1-8
Every year our local
botanical garden hosts a celebration of Christmas around the world. My favorite
display is a French nativity. Instead of the traditional scene showing
shepherds and wise men with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh gathered
around the manger, it shows French villagers bringing their gifts to baby
Jesus. They bring bread, wine, cheese, flowers, and other items that God has
given them the ability to produce. This reminds me of the Old Testament command
to bring the firstfruits of our labor to the house of the Lord (Ex. 23:16-19).
This depiction of the nativity illustrates that everything we have comes from
God, so the only thing we have to give is something that God has given us.
When Paul instructed
the Romans to present themselves as a living sacrifice, he was telling them to
give back to God what God had given them—their own selves (Rom. 12:1). This
includes the gifts He gave them, even their ability to earn a living. We know
that God gives people special abilities. Some, like David, were skilled in
music (1 Sam. 16:18). Some, like Bezalel and Oholiab, were skilled in artistic
works (Ex. 35:30-35). Others have skill in writing, teaching, gardening, and
many other things.
When we give back to
God what He has first given to us, we give Him the perfect gift—ourselves.
What can you offer to Jesus?
Give your all to Christ who gave His all for you.
INSIGHT:
There are five listings of spiritual gifts in
the New Testament: Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; 12:28-30; Ephesians
4:11; and 1 Peter 4:11. In each of these lists the emphasis is not on the
different types of gifts but on their diversity and how they are to be used in
a way that promotes love and unity in the church (1 Cor. 12:12–13:13). Gifts
are to be used to build up the spiritual maturity of the believers (Eph.
4:12-16) and to bring glory to the Lord (1 Peter 4:9-11). In Romans 12 Paul
encourages believers to use their gifts in humility (v. 3), in unity (vv. 4-5),
and with sincere love and respect (vv. 9-10).
Source: Our Daily Brea