The Gift-Giving Season
Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the [a]gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV)
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of [a]necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
1 John 3:16-18 (NKJV)
16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
Acts 20:35 (NKJV)
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV)
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Christmas is a joyous time of year when we celebrate the birth of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just as Christ’s entrance into the world was a sacrificial expression of His love, we are to immolate His example of love in the way that we give to others. Christ gave from a place that was pure. He expected nothing in return. He gave and there were no ulterior motives. His gift was love-based, and it was the ultimate sacrifice.
Can you imagine leaving a place that is the epitome of royalty, to spend years, willingly in impoverished conditions? And just to think, He knew that there would be those who would choose to reject Him as their most precious gift.
