A Gift For The Great Giver

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
I Corinthians 13:1-3

During this season of gift-shopping, gift-shipping, and gift giving, I’m sure we all have some people on our list who are difficult to buy for. They don’t need anything. We don’t know what they might want that they haven’t already gotten for themselves. Still, isn’t it just so satisfying when you’re able to come up with the perfect gift?!

This time of year we’re reminded that Jesus was God’s great Gift to the world. We are rightly grateful and might want to offer something in return. But as we talked about last week (see article here), when it comes to salvation there is nothing we can give. We have to come to God empty-handed.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace.

from “Rock of Ages” by A.M. Toplady

But once we have received that most precious gift, IS there something we can offer God? Is there anything He would want from us?

1 Chronicles 16:34 says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” And Psalm 29:2 says, “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

We can give Him thanks, glory, and worship.

Furthermore when we give to those in need, God says we’re giving to Him.

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:37-40

Activities like thanking God in prayer, giving Him glory through worship, feeding the hungry, and visiting the sick all take time. Our time is also something we can give to God. (Though it is also a gift from Him to us.)

However, First Corinthians 13 teaches that we can do all these things, and still it could count for nothing, if we don’t give God the thing He wants most from us– our love.

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” I Corinthians 13:3

You mean I could give ALL my money… I could even give my LIFE as a martyr… and it might not be enough?!

Well, what is your motive? Is it to “earn” your salvation? Then no, it’s not enough to pay that price.

Is it to impress people and make a name for yourself? That’s more a gift to yourself.

But when you serve out of real concern for others; when you worship with your whole heart; when you sacrifice because you love God, then you have found the perfect gift! That’s the thing God really wants. No, not the service, the worship, or the sacrifice specifically. He doesn’t need those things. But God wants our love, and that is how love for God is expressed.

This reminds me of the beautiful nativity song “In the Bleak Midwinter,” the lyrics of which were written by Victorian poet, Christina Rosetti. It ends with these lines:

What can I give him?
Poor as I am
If I were a shepherd
I would give a lamb
If I were a wise man
I would do my part
But what I can I give him
Give him my heart

What do you get for the God who has everything? There is nothing He needs, it’s true. But there is something He wants very much— the same thing He’s already given to us— love from the heart.

Dear God, thank You for the the most amazing gift of love ever given, Jesus Christ, Your Son. Help me to give You my love in return through heartfelt worship and service all the days of my life. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins