Gift/give on behalf of the King

Rev Dwight Fletcher

AS WE reflect on the first Christmas and see how the wise men carried gifts over 1,500 miles to Jesus, we should ask, “What gift can I give Jesus this Christmas?” Some of us live by the motto that giving our hearts to Jesus is a great gift. Giving our heart to Jesus isn’t a gift; it’s an act of worship. It’s our response to receiving the gift of salvation which Jesus has given to us. Worship is a show of our gratitude. Without Jesus, we would have been lost. So, what really is a good gift to give that’s fit for the King of kings this Christmas? Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40 (NIV). This was spoken in the context of helping the less fortunate.

The gift of looking after the poor and those in need would be a gift fit for our King this Christmas. It’s very important for us to care for the poor and those in need, and many of us are missing it. It’s a truth that can adversely affect our lives. Some of us aren’t seeing the blessing of God in some areas of our lives, and it can be directly linked to this failure. It pleases God when we give to the poor, and, in return, we’re blessed. Proverbs 19:17 (EXP) says, “Being •kind [gracious; generous] to the poor is like lending to the Lord; He will reward you for what you have done [fully repay you].” Proverbs 29:7 (NIV) also tells us that, “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”

Having concern for the poor is part of the DNA of the righteous. God identifies with the poor. Jesus was born into a poor family. He needed the gifts of the wise men to live. He identifies with other persons who are poor and need the generosity of others to survive. Charity (significant giving to the poor out of love), didn’t exist in the world before Jesus. There are accounts in ancient historical writings of a few persons giving coins to beggars. These displays were small things and noted because of their rarity.

Sacrificial love demonstrated by sacrificial giving came immediately after the Christian Church was first established. Chapters two and four in the Book of Acts, speak of the widespread charitable giving of the Believers, even to the point of selling their possessions to meet the needs of the fellowship.

Before Christianity, there was no real care for the poor, the needy, the sick, the orphaned, and the destitute. There were no laws protecting children, and very few laws protecting women. There were few hospitals, no leper colonies, and no one seemed to have anything against the enslavement of their fellow man.

Christianity did all that and more. Jesus wants us to give to the poor and to uphold them. This is very dear to the heart of God. This Christmas, this is a heritage to which we can return. This is an offering, a gift we can give to God. This is something that would please Him. He expects it from us. Charitable giving has been, and should continue to be, a pillar of Christianity. Give to those in need this Christmas.