How Much Did Your Gift Cost
Ephesians 5:1-2 Amplified Bible (AMP)
5 Therefore
be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved
children [imitate their father]. 2 And walk in love, [esteeming
and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a
slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet
fragrance.
Yesterday was Christmas, and many of us woke up with one
focus in mind, to get to open the gifts that we purchased for others so we
could see their reaction or open the gifts that were purchased for us. Some of
us woke up realizing that relatives were coming over or we were obligated to
attend a function at someone’s house and thought about just getting through the
day. Others woke up with grief over all
that they could not do or afford. I woke
up early unable to rest not for any of these reasons, but because I realized yesterday
was the day that we celebrated my Savior’s, Lord and King’s birthday. I also realized in those moments of prayer
and meditation that my Savior had given me a very expensive gift that He had
given me all of Him, but in those moments I questioned how expensive the gift
that I was giving to Him was. I
understood that I was not perfect, but had I given all to Him as He had given
to me? The answer I discovered was
obvious, no; there were times when I had neglected to give God all of me, or to
apply myself to studying His word or obtaining a closer walk with Him, or
submitting to His will, prayer and meditation even when it was uncomfortable, or
not convenient.
I watched over the last weeks as people spent all they
had buying things for people who did not care about them, or deserve what they
had expended upon them, and yet they expended more attitude, selfishness,
bitterness, anger, impatience and intolerance, while they prepared to “bless
people or give to people. I watched as
people skipped out on church to go to the mall or spend time at Christmas
plays, pageants and parties. We spent
money on clothing, food, toys and so many other things and we put so much time
into those things, but God was left alone for the Holidays, with no gift. Some say we should give monetary gifts to
God; this is appropriate as we are lead to do so, but as I discovered in my
prayer time yesterday, is God wants the most expensive gift we can bring Him,
which is us. He wants all of us. He wants all that we would apply in so many
other things to be applied to Him. He
really does want us to seek Him first, to apply our time, talents and resources
to the up building of His kingdom first before we seek out a job, a
relationship, influence, money, things, people or anything else. He wants us to lay down our lives for Him as Jesus
has laid down His for us. He wants us to let Him occupy our lives, not just in
a season or a moment but for all times, just as He came to do for us.
How expensive is the gift that we are giving to God? How much of us really belongs to Him? You see
all too often we think if we are talking the game we are bringing our “A” game,
but in realism, it is just talk. God
wants us to bring Him our best gift, which is us. He doesn’t want the talk, the show, the wad
of cash thrown in a venue so that all can see us doing it. He wants our hearts, soul, mind, body and
spirit submitted to Him, being used by Him and humbled to His will not some of
the time but all of the time. He doesn’t
want us so consumed with our lives that we forget about the life that He
created us to live for Him. Don’t give
Him what is left, give God what is right; what is best, what is most not what
is least. Give Him your ALL, the most
expensive you, the one that no man can afford and that lacks the ability to put
an earthly price tag on it!
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