Every good and perfect gift is from above…

James 1:17

 As I studied my Christmas shopping list this morning, I remembered a statement I’ve heard my pastor, David Dykes, say many, many times:  “You are never more like God than when you give.” Our God is a giver. In fact, the Word says that every good and perfect gift is from him.

I took some time this morning to look at what gifts the Bible says that God gives us. The first gift of God mentioned in Scripture was voiced by Leah, wife of Jacob, when she birthed her first son: “God has presented me with a precious gift” (Gen 30:20). Ecclesiastes 3:13 says, That everyone may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his toil – this is the gift of God. In 5:19 we read, When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God.

Jesus, speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10).  Jesus is a gift from God! In Acts 1:4, Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the gift his Father promised, referring to the Holy Spirit. 

Paul writes in Romans 6:23, the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Similarly, Paul says, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).

I am awe-struck at God’s extravagance with me. He gives me precious things. He gives me what I need to live. He satisfies me. He gives me his own son, Jesus! He gives me what I need most…what I cannot give myself – eternal life.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15)!

Jill Hardin                                                                                          

All Scriptures are from New International Version unless otherwise stated.