Reading a blog post from Seth today I was reminded of what ‘gifting’ is really like.

Read this little excerpt:

A gift certificate from a rich uncle is a present as well, it’s not really a gift.

A favor is something we do for someone hoping for an equal or greater favor in return. (Hence the phrase, “return the favor.” No one says, “return the gift.”)

A present is something that costs money, sure, and it’s free, but I don’t think it’s a gift.

A gift costs the giver something real. It might be cash (enough that we feel the pinch) but more likely it involves a sacrifice or a risk or an emotional exposure. A true gift is a heartfelt connection, something that changes both the giver and the recipient.

It reminded me again that even though God is sovereign and He owns everything His gift of His son really did cost Him something.  It cost him ‘emotional exposure’ as Seth would put it.  The idea that God gave a life for risk of having Himself turned down.  His gift is truly a “heartfelt connection” that was meant to draw us close to Him to have communion with Him.

Gifts are costly.  It’s what gives them value.  It’s what sets them apart from favors or presents.

If God has modeled this for us then let’s take this one step further.  Where are you doing this?  Outside of family have you done this for anyone else?

I got to admit when it comes to those outside my immediate family circle I pretty much stink at this.

I need to step it up a notch.

Following the rules seems to be the hardest thing to do.

A lot of us think we have it figured out.   I mean we follow the rules, go to church, we’re  a good citizen, etc…  Along with this we might even be followers of Christ.  So what else is there?  Is there anything else I should be concerned with.  Have I made it?  From this point on does it  just keep getting better by making sure that my sinful nature stays checked?

Listen to what Jesus had to say;

18 A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 “You know the commandments, ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY , DO NOT MURDER , DO NOT STEAL , DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS , HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER .’” 21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25 “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?”

Luke 18:18-26

Along with following the rules comes the sacrifice.  You see it was easy for this guy to follow the rules and because of his cushy lifestyle he didn’t have to sweat too much.  Then Jesus dropped the bomb on him and basically said that following Him would have to cost something.

Where are you at?  I don’t think this means that having things is bad but you have them for a purpose.  Your ’stuff’ belongs to God anyway.  Are you ready to give it up?  When you serve does it cost you anything?  Is there a level of discomfort that comes with it?  Or is it easy for you to serve because your life is cushy?

Jesus seemed to put a big emphasis on it (eternal life), shouldn’t you?