COMMENTARY: The greatest gift

Published 6:00 am Sunday, December 24, 2017

Editor’s note: The following commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of The News Courier and its staff. We welcome editorial submissions from area church leaders for our weekly Faith page. Those who would like to submit a column, story or photo should email submissions to adam@athensnews-courier.com. Submissions should be kept to no more than 500 words and not be considered inflammatory to the faith and/or values of others. We reserve the right to edit submissions for space and content.

This time of the year can be a money-maker for businesses or a determining factor for a business’s success.

A Nov. 6 Forbes Magazine article by Nikki Baird reported, “The National Retail Federation predicts that holiday retail sales will be up 3.6-4% [sic] over last year. They measure November and December and exclude gasoline, automobiles and restaurants. They peg the forecasted total somewhere between $678 billion-682 billion.”

Several years ago, I was watching the local news about this time of the year. The reporter mentioned a survey of mall shoppers that was taken in order to learn how much people were spending on Christmas gifts.

One person’s reply caught my attention. A woman said she had already maxed out one credit card and was working on another.

I thought to myself, “I’m sure glad that she’s not my wife!”

What gifts will you give to your spouse, children, relatives and friends for Christmas? I am sure each one is anticipating opening that special present from you. What will it be? The answer can be hard to determine unless you have been given a hint or just forthrightly told.

I think most people enjoy giving presents and receiving some, too. The greatest Giver of all, however, is God. I have heard people say, “You can’t out-give God.”

I believe this is true. Just think about all the physical and material blessings that He provides daily.

Paul disclosed to the Athenian philosophers when he met with them on Mars Hill that God “… gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25, NKJV). Paul told the people of Lystra that God provides the “…rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17).

The fundamental reason why I believe no person can give more than God is because he is the Superior gift Giver. He has given to us the most precious present of all, Jesus, who was sent to this wicked world to be the sacrifice for our sins.

The apostle John wrote, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Nothing we give can in any way compare with Jesus and forgiveness of sin in him. Paul said, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Words cannot be found that might adequately describe God’s wonderful gift. God provides for our continual spiritual needs by giving “ … to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises …” (2 Peter 1:3–4).

In conclusion, God is the greatest giver of all. The question that you and I should ask is, “What will I give God?” A person who loves God and has a grateful heart will surrender his life to God by obeying the gospel and serving him faithfully thereafter (1 John 5:3; Galatians 2:20).

— Ridinger is the preacher at Coxey church of Christ. He can be reached at ridinger50@bellsouth.net.