He Gave

Bill Brinkworth

At a time when everyone is giving gifts to each other, it would do us well to remember what God has given us:

God has given us everything we have: food, drink, health, ability to work, and a mind to think and accomplish all that we do. There is nothing that we have that God has not, one way or another, allowed us to have. Those that proudly proclaim they have “done it all themselves” do not understand that every breath, every heartbeat, and all that we do, are allowed by God. There is no such thing as a “self-made man”.
“And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 3:13
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” I Corinthians 3:6
God has given the gift of salvation to all that will accept His way of heaven. God has given His son, Jesus, to die and pay for our transgressions. All that accept Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for their sin can have the gift of salvation.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
For those that are saved, God gave His gift of the Holy Spirit to them.
“… and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26
For those that are saved, God has given them one or more spiritual gifts to serve Him.
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8
For those that are saved, God has given us power over the many obstacles we face during our life-times.
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” I John 3:22

God is so wonderful to give us all that He has given us. None deserve His goodness. The least we can do is to give back to Him part of what He has allowed us to have. We should give to Him, not because we have to, but because we want to. God wants us to serve Him, obey Him, and live for him because we love him. Do you love Him enough to give back to a giving God? No one can give more than our heavenly Father has, but will you give of your time, finances, and life to Him?

“You do not have to be rich to be generous. If he has the spirit of true generosity, a pauper can give like a prince.” — Wells

This lesson was featured in The Bible View #180.