Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:10-15, NASB)
In this Bible passage, the Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the church at Corinth, is both encouraging and thanking them for sending money to the church in Jerusalem. The saints in Jerusalem were very poor, and Paul often asked the people in the wealthier churches to share their bounty with the poor. Paul says that they will reap what they sow. That giving liberally to those in need will result in prosperity and God’s richest blessings for the donors.
In the last sentence of this passage, Paul thanks God for “His indescribable gift!” And what (or Who) is the gift? No other than the only indescribable Gift, Jesus! We carry on the tradition of giving gifts this time of year to (hopefully) remember the great Gift God gave us that first Christmas.
There are three elements every time a gift is given: There is the gift giver, the gift itself, and the recipient of the gift. Let’s examine the example of God’s most precious Gift to explain this transaction.
The Gift giver is, of course, the Lord God Almighty. How awesome to think that the God Who created the heavens, the earth, and the sea, and all that is in them, was thinking of you and me when He crafted His plan of salvation and redemption. This plan, first announced in the Garden of Eden to Adam, Eve, and the crafty serpent, culminated when God gave His Gift that first Christmas. Why did He give us His very best? Because He loves us. “For God SO loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, emphasis mine)
The second element of the gifting transaction is the gift itself. In this example, the Gift is God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The Wonderful Counselor. Almighty God. The Everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace. The King of kings and the Lord of lords. Immanuel. The Savior of the World. I can just hear the Gift Giver saying, “You’re welcome!” “Indescribable” indeed! The Gift chose to leave the comfort and majesty of His heavenly home, humble Himself and come to the earth He created on the greatest rescue mission in history. All to save you and me, so we could have a relationship with His Father (the Gift Giver).
Last, there is the receiver of the gift. In our divine transaction, that’s us. You and me. We’re the intended recipients of God’s loving Gift. But in order to call it a “gift,” it must be accepted. If you or I don’t receive God’s Gift, then the transaction is null and void. Have you decided this Christmas to accept God’s Gift of the King? He really desires you to!
It’s part of our human nature that when we receive a gift, we want to give a present in return. Have you thought about what to give God for Christmas? Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham’s daughter) has a suggestion: Give Him your heart. It’s all He really wants! It’s just what He’s always wanted!
Worship: “It’s the Thought,” by Twila Paris