Christmas is a wonderful celebration of the best gift ever given: Jesus Christ. He has brought forgiveness, eternal life, and liberty to all who believe. All in this life we love and appreciate is a gift from God who graciously loves us. The things God gives are beyond price. Family, relationships, and a joyous future cannot be earned or be bought with money. We can trade these things for money and stuff, but that is another post. The question is, do we appreciate the value of what God has given us?
Placing value on gifts is very subjective. There are gifts we appreciate more than others, perhaps because of the monetary resale value. We can value gifts which were not expensive at all but show care and thoughtfulness of others toward us. I have kept many gifts which have no monetary value at all but treasure them because they were given to me by a loved family member who has passed away. Our memories of people can be perpetuated in little reminders like birthday or Christmas cards. Other times we appreciate a gift because it is better quality than we would buy for ourselves. And then we value gifts which are so useful or practical we wonder how we lived without it!
When it comes to gifts from God, some of these reasons for thanksgiving and appreciation are relevant. The gifts God gives are beyond price and therefore are not for resale or trading in. I would also say if we view spiritual gifts or priceless promises of God with a sentimental lens, this is indicative of a break of relationship with God. Since we are to be in a presently growing, vibrant relationship with God, sentimental feelings likely suggest we are mourning current distance between us and God. The gifts God gives are intensely practical, for there is no life apart from Him. God gives us little reminders all the time of His presence and care for us. We should treasure these. How often God has given gifts better than we could have ever imagined! Let us repent when we have treated gifts from God as common things.
Cards and heartfelt notes are commonly displayed for a season and then filed away or recycled. Christmas and birthday gifts are used for a while and then can collect dust. They were appreciated for a while, but for whatever reason lose their lustre. Is it possible the gifts God gives us are treated in similar fashion? Or is there found in us a heart of appreciation and gratefulness, remembering God's grace and thanking Him for the good gifts He has given? It is good for us to maintain good works using the talents and gifts God has provided. How healthy it is for us to do personal inventory, acknowledging what God has already given us. We don't need to be afraid of being left out, for it is God's good pleasure to give the sheep of His flock the kingdom (Luke 12:32). God gives us many things we can only use rightly when we give them back to Him. I think of the twenty-four elders throwing their crowns at the feet of the Lamb. That's the perfect response for Christians when we receive authority, wealth, and gifts from God
What is more practical than love, acceptance, and eternal life? That's what God has given to us, and may our lives be a revelation of all this and more to others for the glory of God.
Placing value on gifts is very subjective. There are gifts we appreciate more than others, perhaps because of the monetary resale value. We can value gifts which were not expensive at all but show care and thoughtfulness of others toward us. I have kept many gifts which have no monetary value at all but treasure them because they were given to me by a loved family member who has passed away. Our memories of people can be perpetuated in little reminders like birthday or Christmas cards. Other times we appreciate a gift because it is better quality than we would buy for ourselves. And then we value gifts which are so useful or practical we wonder how we lived without it!
When it comes to gifts from God, some of these reasons for thanksgiving and appreciation are relevant. The gifts God gives are beyond price and therefore are not for resale or trading in. I would also say if we view spiritual gifts or priceless promises of God with a sentimental lens, this is indicative of a break of relationship with God. Since we are to be in a presently growing, vibrant relationship with God, sentimental feelings likely suggest we are mourning current distance between us and God. The gifts God gives are intensely practical, for there is no life apart from Him. God gives us little reminders all the time of His presence and care for us. We should treasure these. How often God has given gifts better than we could have ever imagined! Let us repent when we have treated gifts from God as common things.
Cards and heartfelt notes are commonly displayed for a season and then filed away or recycled. Christmas and birthday gifts are used for a while and then can collect dust. They were appreciated for a while, but for whatever reason lose their lustre. Is it possible the gifts God gives us are treated in similar fashion? Or is there found in us a heart of appreciation and gratefulness, remembering God's grace and thanking Him for the good gifts He has given? It is good for us to maintain good works using the talents and gifts God has provided. How healthy it is for us to do personal inventory, acknowledging what God has already given us. We don't need to be afraid of being left out, for it is God's good pleasure to give the sheep of His flock the kingdom (Luke 12:32). God gives us many things we can only use rightly when we give them back to Him. I think of the twenty-four elders throwing their crowns at the feet of the Lamb. That's the perfect response for Christians when we receive authority, wealth, and gifts from God
What is more practical than love, acceptance, and eternal life? That's what God has given to us, and may our lives be a revelation of all this and more to others for the glory of God.
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