All I have is a gift . . .

 

When we were children, we had an offensive expression (now considered racist) that negatively accused anyone who GAVE a gift and then took it back. On the positive side, if the giving was permanent, then the person who gave if was not one of those. The gift was never returned to them nor did the giver demand an equal payment in exchange.

In the OT, GAVE is a verb meaning “to transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody.” The word is used hundreds of times, not all about God as Giver. However, He gave food to people, a wife to Adam, conquered nations and gave them to His people. This land became their land as an inheritance from Him. He also gave them rest from their enemies and laws to shape their lives, plans for a tabernacle and later a temple, and many promises for their future. Sometimes He gave them over to their enemies to discipline them. He also gave them children and prosperity, wisdom, peace, joy and His presence among them. These are important gifts in OT history.

All of God’s giving culminated in the greatest gift of all and describe in this verse known by many:

John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

In its context, this word “gave” is far stronger than the OT word because it means “to sacrifice or relinquish, to endure the loss of someone or something.” Not only that, this giving from God opens the door of His incredible storehouse to give His people even more:

Romans 8:31–32. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

John 1:12. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Timothy 1:7. God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1 John 5:11. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

In Christ, God gave to His people authority over unclean spirits, the Holy Spirit and all His benefits including the fruit He produces in our lives, everything needed for life including food and shelter, words to say when questioned, wonderful relationships with other members of His forever family, emotional comfort, peace and joy. The list is long. His giving protects us in trials and promises all we ask for according to His will.

He also gave us the righteousness of Christ and gave us something to do:

2 Corinthians 5:18; 20–21. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation . . . Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. When the Liar attacked Eve in Eden, his suggestion was that God did not want the best for her. She fell for it, as do many others who have not taken a good look at the story of all that God gave and keeps on giving. When I realize His generosity my faith grows and I become aware that “if I have not, it is usually because I ask not” for God is a Giver and takes care of my needs — exceedingly above all that I can ask or imagine.