Greatest Gift of All

Do a stock-take of all that God has generously poured out to you and then ‘freely give’.

Matthew 10.1-16

Reference: v.8b Freely you have received, freely give. (NIV Bible)

Explore: My husband’s birthday is the day before our foster daughters.  So every June I am set with the challenging task of finding two lots of presents for two of the most significant people in my life.  And it’s not like I can double up on presents.  I don’t think my husband would really appreciate some glittering lip gloss and a new pair of high heels.  Likewise, I don’t think my daughter would appreciate a computer magazine subscription and a leather belt!!  I like to give presents that are a surprise but also something that they would really appreciate and can use.
God gives us the best present.  He gives us Himself.  He gave us life through creation; He gave us example through Jesus; and He gives us guidance through the Spirit.  When Jesus sent out the 12 disciples He told them to give as they had received.

Application: As Jesus sends each of us out today, what have we received from God that we are asked to give?  God certainly hasn’t given me glittering lip gloss, but it’s not the tangible presents that Jesus is suggesting we give as we minister to people.  God has touched our lives in many different ways and it’s through that experience that we share and witness to others.  As I am going through a time of huge transition I feel that God has given me hope.  And as I look around the community I live in I can see that hope is something that everyone needs.  What I have freely received, freely I give.  It may be as easy as simply smiling encouragingly at a stranger or it may be as challenging as being a listening ear to someone whose mother is dying.  God has generously given me hope, and so I must do likewise.  If you have been blessed with money, be generous to others; if you have been blessed with loving friends, be loving to someone without friends; if you have been blessed with forgiveness from sin, forgive someone who has sinned against you.  Do a stock-take of all that God has generously poured out to you and then ‘freely give’.

Prayer: Lord, all good things have come from You.  Forgive us when we store them up for ourselves.  May we be generous givers as You are generous.  Amen.

Matthew