SPIRITUAL VITAMIN DEVOTIONAL

GIFT GIVING

"...they opened their treasures, they presented him gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. "
~Luke 2:11

Only five shopping days left to purchase gifts for family and friends. There are so many choices, so many things to choose from. Will you purchase the right color, the right size, the right brand name? Do you give people what they want, or what they need? Or, do you buy for others what you really want? It seems like I always find what I like, when I am shopping for someone else!

Why do we give gifts at Christmas? Why did the wise men give gifts to baby Jesus? What was their motive? They did not give just any gift, they gave him their treasures. The Greek word for "treasure" means wealth, and the word "gift" means a present, specifically, a sacrifice. The gifts that they gave were not only of great value, they were a sacrifice. It cost them personally to give such extravagant gifts. However, the real gift was their worship. When they saw the Christ child, they fell down and worshipped him. The greatest gift they gave him was their worship, their love, their adoration. You see, love is an action. The gifts were a natural outpouring of their worship. They expressed their love by giving gifts.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

What are your motives for giving gifts? Do you give sacrificial gifts to show your love? Christmas is about sharing and giving. The wise men brought gifts to Jesus to worship and honor him. They opened their treasures before their King. Do you open your treasures at Christmas and present sacrificial gifts to your loved ones? Or, do you only give gifts to those that can give you something in return? In Hebrews we are told "do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Are your gifts pleasing to God?

Prayer:
Thank you Father for the sacrificial gift of your son, your most treasured possession. Help me this Christmas to give not only to my loved ones, but also to give sacrificially to others who are truly in need, for this pleases you. Thank you for reminding me of the words of the Lord Jesus himself who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Let my worship and love of you be manifested through my giving to others this Christmas, so that my gifts may be pleasing unto you.

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SPIRITUAL VITAMIN DEVOTIONAL