Different Models Same Function
The Giver Makes the Gift Unique
First, something to make you smile…
As the preacher was closing out the Sunday morning worship one week, he ended by saying to the faithful congregation: “Next Sunday, I am going to preach on the subject of liars. So, in
preparation for my sermon, if you don’t mind, I would like you all to read the 17th chapter of the book of Mark.”
The following Sunday, the preacher rose to begin his sermon. Looking out at the congregation he reminded them saying: “Last week I asked you all to read the 17th chapter of the book of St. Mark. If you have read the chapter, please raise your hand.
Nearly every hand in the congregation went up—some reluctantly and some very enthusiastically.
Smiling the preacher looked over the congregation and said, “Well, I see. You are the very people I want to talk to today… the liars. The book of Mark has only 16 chapters.
Something for the Mind
Many of us are gift givers. For instance, it is not unusual for most of us to tip a waiter at a restaurant; a live singer or band playing at an establishment; the doorman or woman or baggage handlers when checking in or out of hotels; our hairstylists or nail technicians, or most anyone who provides a curtesy or service. Some even extend their giving to panhandlers on sidewalks, in the streets, or on the side of the road.
Yes, we give, yet there are many different motives and types of givers.
For instance, there is the type that give because it makes us feel good, noble, or charitable. So then, the gift becomes sort of a reward from us to ourselves.
There is the type that give as an expression of gratitude. It is our way of pouring ourselves into a person or ministry that has encouraged us in one way or another.
Then there is the type that give out of feelings of empathy or sympathy. We are heartbroken and do not understand how anyone could end up in diverse, desperate situations.
Even so, the thing that might hold true for most givers is that though we give, we might not fully consider what effect the gift that we give will have on a receiver’s life. We did our duty; we showed our appreciation; we did what we could to help a person in need.
After we have done our part, for whatever our reason, it seems the next “right thing to do” is to treat the gift as a disappearing act–something that we neither talk about nor try to explain. In the end, the mechanism of giving is the same, but the heart or spirit of the giver is what makes the gift unique.
The word of God says that He is a jealous God. But no, His jealousy is not borne out of envy, greed, nor resentfulness. Rather it is comprised of and embodies, protectiveness, watchfulness, and a desirous appeal to bring his own creation to perfection.
Unlike us, when God gives or dispenses spiritual gifts or equips us for his kingdom work, he knows exactly the effect that the gift will have on the receiver’s life if realized and used effectively. He is a man with a plan. He gives or dispenses gifts freely and abundantly according to the intel he collected (if you will) while he knit us together in our mother’s womb. He knows how each gift will add to our lives individually and to the life of his community of believers. And, he does not have an inclination nor a reason to explain or forget about what he has given. Rather, he has an expectation that his dispensation of diverse gifts will be a beautiful reward from him, through us, to himself.
Our spiritual gifts are a part of our makeup. They are a part of God’s plan of redemption. Whatever they are, even if they resemble someone else’s, they are still unique for us. It is incumbent on us then to discover, develop, and delight in them.
So here we are. We have considered our gifts to ourselves through giving to others and God’s gift to himself by pouring himself into and giving to us. Now is the time for us to think about our gift to God by unwrapping and living out our spiritual giftedness to His glory.
How about that for maximum joy?!
Meditation Verse 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. [and] All … are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”
Affirmations are as follows.
- I am the apple of my Father’s eye
- In him:
- I am accepted
- I am loved
- I am qualified
- I am complete
- I am empowered
- I am a beneficiary of his grace
- I am a partaker in His Divine nature
- I shall express his goodness in my life and work
- I will continually receive all blessings
- I am thankful
- I am blessed
Something for the Heart and Soul
Tip of the Week
Where Scripture, according to 2nd Corinthians chapter 9 says that God loves a cheerful giver it also has an encouragement and a promise of a reward that God can and will bless us abundantly and allow us to abound in every good work according to the gifts that we share.
Sometimes that scripture is read only in the context of giving money. However, there are other things that we can give from the heart that can be a great blessing to someone who needs it at a given moment in time. They are simple and can include such expressions as: a smile, a word of encouragement, a helping hand, a loving rebuke, and so on, and so on.
So, the tip of the week is let us give generously, cheerfully, or hilariously of ourselves to the work of God, then in service to each other for his glory.
Appeal for Purpose
Heavenly Father, we ask you to bless us when we come in and bless us when we go out.
We ask you to bless us in the city and bless us in the country. Wherever our trails lead.
Lord, we are pregnant with purpose. Please bless the fruit of our labor and the works of our hands and prosper everything we touch.
Bless our seed or the miracles that are within us and bless our land as we spread them out far and wide. And in the process, please, enlarge our territories so that we can even do a new thing in a new place if it is your desire for us to do.
Father, we ask you to bless our store house that it not only be a place for our own prosperity but also a deep well of goodness for those who are in need.
Then, Father, please deafen our ears to the naysayers, and cause our enemies to come at us in one direction but flee from us in seven.
Lord we are your creation in Christ Jesus, and greater are you who is in us than he that is in the world.
For this we give you the honor and glory by your Spirit in Jesus name.
Amen
