February 21 - Gifts.

Proverbs 21:14-15
“A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.”
 
Everyone likes receiving something, especially when it’s free!
A gift is something we receive which costs us nothing and does not require any work in order to obtain it.
 
This is why salvation is called the free gift of God; it requires no payment of our own because Jesus paid it all.
 
Ephesians 2:8-9
“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.”
 
We have no reason to brag or boast about the gifts we receive. God does not give us blessings for us to take the credit. His gifts are for His glory; it is unwise to use gifts for any other purpose.
 
God continuously gives.
He gave us life when He breathed into us and we became a living soul. He gave us His Word when He inspired men to pen down each Word. He gave us His Son so that we believe in Him and have eternal life. He gives and gives and gives and gives.
 
We can choose to learn from His example of why we should give:
Acts 20:35
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
 
Give to encourage.
Gifts make us feel appreciated and loved. They are a simple reminder that someone thought of us.
 
Give with the right motive.
Gifts are no longer gifts when there is a hidden motive behind them.
 
Give to give God glory.
When we give to the cause of Christ we bring glory to our Heavenly Father and reap eternal rewards that we will someday place at His feet.
 
Gifts are an opportunity for us to point others to Jesus Christ.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Leviticus 13-14  |  Luke 3  |  Proverbs 21