Greetings,
It has been such a joy to see the sacrificial giving of our fellowship. Last week we asked for some help in getting new children’s ministry toys, and within one hour a huge portion of the list was purchased and people were asking how they could help in other ways. This last Sunday, I let you all know of a need within our fellowship and you all came to help in great ways. What a blessing it is to follow the Lord together! When we have a proper perspective of who God is and what is His, it becomes a real blessing to give.
Tangible gifts are great and demonstrate our heart and love for God and people. Although God gives tangible gifts, often in ways we never saw coming, He also seems to love giving intangible gifts. In John 14:25-27 (ESV) Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
What are some ways that Christ’s giving is different? He knew that He wasn't going to be physically present with the disciples much longer and He wanted them to have confidence that they could trust in His promise that He would always be with them. Jesus isn’t leaving them with a letter, pictures or a video reminding them of what they should do. He was leaving the Spirit of God to dwell within His followers and lead us to do amazing things for His kingdom.
What are some ways that Christ’s giving is different? He knew that He wasn't going to be physically present with the disciples much longer and He wanted them to have confidence that they could trust in His promise that He would always be with them. Jesus isn’t leaving them with a letter, pictures or a video reminding them of what they should do. He was leaving the Spirit of God to dwell within His followers and lead us to do amazing things for His kingdom.
His gift is the relational, long term, gift of the Holy Spirit and all that this entails. He was leaving peace, an intangible promise of peace in the midst of trouble. He left us with the reminder that He conquered death and that there is nothing to fear. In His gift, He solved the largest of all issues in our sinfulness and separation from God. His gift was unmerited, unimaginable and overwhelming. When He promised the Holy Spirit, He was faithful in following through. He didn’t ask for us to do anything in return as an act to earn our gift. By the very definition of the word “gift” there is nothing expected from the one receiving except to receive it. God gave us His one and only son so that we could be united with Him. What a glorious example of giving!
I long to be a person that gives without expectation. I want to instill in my children an example of what it looks like to be trustworthy by keeping my promises and liberal in my love for people so much so that giving, time, treasures and talents becomes a natural response. May we leave those that we interact with, with a deep and lasting peace. The peace of the gospel of Jesus.
Love ya,
Chris
Love ya,
Chris
