What gift are you giving?
Gifts, gifts and more gifts is the story so far. Our family has received a few, given several, and purchased a bunch! We usually buy all the presents for the grandparents for our daughters so my wife, who is truly amazing, works diligently to get everything purchased.
Gifts, gifts and more gifts is the story so far. Our family has received a few, given several, and purchased a bunch! We usually buy all the presents for the grandparents for our daughters so my wife, who is truly amazing, works diligently to get everything purchased.
Most of us realize that gifts (which I will define as our desired possessions) have overshadowed the most important truth in the Christmas season. Every year my girls give us a list of the new possessions they wish for. Over the last several weeks, I have spent some time thinking about possessions and the value they possess. What is your most valuable possession?
My wife and I teach the kindergarten Sunday school class every other week at our church. Last Sunday, the lesson was spot on for the kids. We reenacted the Christmas story with the angel coming Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, the shepherds and wise men coming and ended with the focus on the gifts brought by the wise men. The lesson then explained how Jesus was God’s gift to us, and how He would die on the cross for us. The entire point of the lesson was this next question: What is the most important gift you can give back to God?
You know the funny thing is that the answer to both questions at the end of the last two paragraphs has the same answer: YOU! Have you given your life to Christ? You are probably thinking, “Sure I have.” Ok, let me ask the question this way, “Are you giving your life to Christ every day, every minute of the day or every second of the day?”
Why should you be concerned about giving your life to Christ every second of the day? My last several posts were about using possessions and more specifically managing God’s possessions. I believe that our viewpoint, opinion or belief, about “who” we are living for has a direct impact on how we use the possessions that are in our control! Matthew 6:19-21 says:
6:19 Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 6:20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Net Bible)
The reason we accumulate treasure on earth is that our heart is focused on earth. Translation: we are living for ourselves not God! I want to challenge you, and myself, to seek God, and consider “who” we are living for every day or every second of the week.
