BIBLE PASSAGE:
The Lord will indeed give what is
good, and our land will yield its harvest.
(Psalm 85:12)
MEDITATION:
Gift giving and receiving can be an interesting event, wouldn’t
you agree? Some people are so happy to receive attention from
others that they are pleased with any gift they receive.
Others however can be very picky about the gifts they receive
(even if they don’t voice their displeasure over a gift they don’t
like). They may remain silent, but they often store the gift away
with plans of re-wrapping it and giving it to someone else later.
Still others can be very vocal about their disappointment when
they do not like a gift.
Then there are those who compare gifts. They might feel
they were treated unfairly if they receive a gift that was
not as expensive, or as nice as the one they gave to the
other person.
As gift recipients we should be grateful that someone
thought of us, and spent time and money to get us a gift.
Just as there are different types of gift recipients, there are also
different types of gift givers. Some people spend an inordinate
amount of time, thought, and money trying to find the perfect
gift for someone. These are the kind of people who enjoy lifting
the spirits, and brightening the days of others.
It is painful for them if the recipient doesn’t like the gift they
gave them. They hate it when a recipient is hard to please and
they have to get them a gift card. It can also be disappointing
to them if they feel someone did not give them a ‘personalized’
gift. They would prefer an inexpensive gift that is thoughtful
over an expensive gift of any kind.
Then, there are those who spend little time or thought getting
a gift for someone. To them, gift giving is more of a task than
a pleasure. It doesn’t mean they don’t care about others, it’s
just that they might hate shopping, or feel they are pressed for
time and this is another task to be completed. As a result, some
of them may not have high expectations of the gifts they receive.
Aren’t you glad the Lord only gives us good gifts? He blesses us
with gifts that are for our benefit, even though it might take us
awhile before we realize it.
When compared to other countries, America has been blessed
with economic and material prosperity. This is a gift from God
that should contribute to our pursuing repentance. We should
be humbled, and thank Him for the blessings we are enjoying.
We should also thank God for our spiritual blessings (the kind of
blessings that can be difficult for man to find the words to describe).
America has been blessed with bibles everywhere and the freedom
to worship God without threats of punishment, physical harm, or
death. It is something to be embraced and not taken lightly.
Some are very grateful for the gifts received from God and have
responded appropriately (including thanking Him). However,
others have refused to accept His gifts, and instead chosen to
continue fulfilling their own desires.
ACTION:
When it comes to the gifts from God, what kind of gift receiver
are you? Have you humbly and gratefully received His gifts? Do
you have a desire to share His gifts with others, or keep them to
yourself?
If we truly appreciate and enjoy the gifts He has given us, then
shouldn’t we want to share them with others? When we share
God’s gifts, we aren’t giving up anything, because we still own
what He has given us; we aren’t giving it away, we are sharing it.
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the abundant blessings You
have given me. Thank You for my freedom to worship You and
read my Bible, without fear of persecution. Forgive me if I have
not expressed my thankfulness to You. Teach me how to share
Your gifts with others, so they can enjoy them as they live now,
and can look forward to the greatest blessing of all – spending
an eternity in Your presence!”
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Discussion
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