Gifts From God
Who doesn’t enjoy receiving gifts? As children, we looked forward to birthdays and other special occasions when gifts or presents (plus cake) were to be given to us. Even adults, whether they admit it or not, relish the idea of gifts from loved ones. Holiday shopping depends upon the giving and receiving of gifts, and some facets of businesses are ‘seasonal’ for that very reason. Some folks are even bold enough to splurge on themselves once in a while and explain it away, saying: “I gifted myself” such and such. Of course, more often than not, this is simply an excuse to purchase something you wanted, which no one else would purchase and “gift” to you.
Man has long been the recipients of gifts from God. Whether or not we are aware, life itself is a gift from God as Paul stated at Mars Hill in Acts 17:28a - For in him we live, and move, and have our being;. In fact, creation is a very generous gift from God toward mankind as all that was created was for the benefit of man. In Gen. 1:29, God Himself told Adam and Eve the herbs, the trees and the fruit of the trees was created for man. Then, from Gen. 9:3, after the flood, God told Noah, “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.” So, God has gifted mankind all he needs to sustain life in this realm.
God provides “gifts” to all mankind through His general Providence as He gives sun and rain upon the earth and everything needed for things to grow. Jesus alluded to this on the Sermon on the Mount in Matt. 5:45b - for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Also, we are informed in 2Pet. 3:7 of the gift of God in that “…the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment…” Surely we consider that the earth remains in place and does not “fly off” of its axis and out of orbit, a gift that God has given to humanity.
Unfortunately, man sometimes needs to be reminded that not all gifts from God or man are unconditional. In Eccl. 3:13, the Spirit had the wise man remind Israel that the provisions of God are to be enjoyed, but we must work for some of these. He wrote: And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. Labor is work, so to receive some of the “gifts of God”, we must put forth effort. This sentiment is also repeated in Eccl. 5:18-19. In the New Testament, in 2Thess. 3:10, these brethren were told: “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Yes, God has offered many gifts to His creation, but He also expected man to do as God Commanded to receive these.
Not all gifts from God are physical or tangible, nor is everyone fully aware of what these are. In John 4:6-24, as Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman at the well, He revealed several things. 1) This woman did not know what the “gift of God” was. 2) At that point, she was not aware that He who spoke with her, was the Promised Messiah. 3) Not having been properly taught, she did not fully understand the nature of the “living water” of which Christ spoke. Sadly, according to verse 15, like many today, she seemingly expected the “gift of God” to be freely given to relieve her needs and reduce her efforts in this life.
Also, one cannot “buy” God’s gifts to man. In the infancy of the church, certain temporary “spiritual gifts” were in place in absence of the written Word. These were put in place to confirm the Word that was being orally communicated until the written New Testament Word was totally revealed, penned, and compiled. Simon of Samaria, in Acts 8:5-13, had been taught the truth, obeyed the gospel by being baptized into Christ, and then “wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”. Afterward, when the apostles, Peter and John arrived, Simon observed them “laying hands” on some of the new Christians to impart these temporary gifts. This is when he made the mistake of trying to procure a “gift of God” with money. Notice what Peter told him per Acts 8:20-21. Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. One who has a heart (mind) that is not “right with God” should never expect any gifts of a spiritual nature from God.
There is however, an everlasting gift of God that is in contrast with the result of the sin of this world. Rom. 6:23 identifies both, as well as the only means by which this gift from God can be obtained. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Sadly, many want God to give them this gift with little or no effort on their part. Those who do, often cite Eph. 2:8, which reads: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” A failure to understand what God’s grace is, causes many to also not receive this gift of God. Titus 2:11-12 clearly teaches that God’s grace has appeared to all. But the verbiage also shows that God’s Word is part of the gifts He’s given man.
Will you not obey the gospel today and receive God’s gift of the promise of eternal life per (1John 2:25)? Then you must “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” as Phil. 2:12b advises to retain that promised gift throughout eternity.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
