Give to the Giver

God intends we use every gift, talent, and ability He graciously gives us.  Our heavenly Father never intends the gifts He gives to be restricted to us.  When we receive a Christmas gift or a birthday present the understanding is, "This is for me."  When we receive any gift from God we are responsible to first give that gift right back to Him for Him to use through us.  This will directly benefit others through the edification of the Body of Christ and glorify God.  What God gives us really isn't for us in the end.  It is for Him!

When I read the Bible and God speaks clearly to my heart, it's not like a "Mission Impossible" message that is for my eyes only and will self-destruct after five seconds.  Now I have a responsibility and duty to share with others.  Think about the example of giving God has shown us.  God had an only begotten Son who He sent to be the Savior of the world.  He didn't keep Jesus to Himself.  He created the world, the oceans, all the living creatures, and kept nothing for Himself.  The twenty-four elders in Rev. 4:11 say to God, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."  God created all things but He did not reserve the world's riches, beauty, or splendor for angels only.  God allows the rain to fall on the just and unjust alike.

Think about something you have received from God.  Have you been given it back to God so He can share it with the world through you so He might be glorified?  Take love, for instance.  God has loved us with an everlasting love.  It is a tangible love we can revel in and enjoy forever.  But you were never intended to be the end of that everlasting love:  God's will is His love would be revealed not just to us, but through us.  If we are the end of any gift of God it is a gift falling short of God's purpose for that gift.  Salvation is precious and an unspeakable blessing, but it must be passed on to others through the preaching of the Gospel.  Grace and mercy are wonderful gifts but if they remain buried in the ground like the servant's talent it does us and the world no good.

What God gives and you receive give right back to Him.  Jesus had the power to heal but did not limit His miraculous ability to family and friends only.  He has the power to save but chose not to save Himself so we all could be saved by His shed blood.  Allow God to challenge you.  When He comes might He say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of the LORD."  Only those who have entered into that joy on earth will enter into eternal joy.  Have you made your Savior joyous today?