INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever been embarrassed a Christmas? Has you found yourself “red faced” and it wasn’t due to the cold? Unfortunately many of us have fallen into the commercial Christmas mentality and find ourselves overly self-conscious and uncomfortable if we receive an unexpected gift from someone and don’t have something to give in return. The American way of doing Christmas is to have a gift exchange where everyone understands the giving ground rules and then abides by them; we want everyone to be treated fairly, right?
We have what I call the “give to get” problem when we give to some of our extended family members. Susie likes to get the second-cousin kids a little gift $2 or $3 gift for when we are at my grandma’s house; it doesn’t always go over well because no one got anything for our kids—and that’s okay. Maybe it’s just me but it seems like my cousins feel obligated to return the favor for our kids, but they hadn’t gotten anything.
This even happens with the gift exchange for the 12 cousins/grandkids when we’re at my parents home for Christmas. We set the rules for this gift exchange. The cousins exchange names and are to each buy a $20 to $25 gift. That’s fine except Susie and I account for 5 of the grandkids so we’re buying for 5 of the cousins. Now do the math 12 grandkids total minus our 5 kids equals 7 cousins altogether. Now it’s not that big of a deal for me to just by two more gifts and give all 7 cousins a gift; it will only cost me an extra $40 to $50. But here’s the problem; my siblings only have 2 or 3 kids each, so if they buy for all the cousins they have to buy 9 or 10 gifts—a lot more than the 2 or three they are buying now. We do this so everyone can save money, or so I’m told. But where is it written that everyone has to be given the same dollar amount? If my sister can only afford $50 on gifts for the cousins, then what’s wrong with getting them all a $5 gift? If my brother can’t really afford anything to do anything this year, then why are we making him buy any gifts at all?
>> What are we teaching our kids when we have gift exchanges with ground rules whereby you give to get? What happened to, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive” (see Acts 20:35)? Where is the joy in giving if you’re just waiting to see what you get in return?
The Bible does also say, “Give and it will be given to you” (see Luke 6:38). But we should not “give to get” always looking under the Christmas tree wondering what’s in it for me. Our motive for giving should never be selfish. Our giving should always focus on the recipient of the gift and not ourselves.
That’s the way God has given to us—God gave with no strings attached.
• 1 John 4:10 (NIV)
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
>> If you and I are to keep from being embarrassed at Christmas, we need to learn to give in the same way God has given to us. Selfless giving follows God’s example. God hasn’t given us anything waiting to see what’s in it for Him. God gave His very best expecting nothing in return.
In perhaps one of the best known verses in the Bible Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). John 3:16 does not say, “God gave his one and only son to the world yearning and hoping to receive the world in return.” God did not give His son with a “give to get” motive.
This is love—GOD GAVE expecting nothing in return. This is what love is. God’s love is not based in our love for God; God had no prerequisite or requirement that we should love Him; God’s love does not demand any response from us. Love is given freely without any though of oneself; real love is not selfish. Love is the gift of God’s Son. Love is Jesus making it possible for our sins to be forgiven.
• 1 John 4:10 (MsgB)
This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.
Jesus made a relationship with God possible. On the cross Jesus took our sins upon Himself making it possible for us to be forgiven. Because Jesus died in our place our sins can be cleared away to restore and renew our relationship with God. What was broken and destroyed by sin is made new—we can be friends of God! That’s what God’s love has done for us.
While God does not demand a response for His love, let me ask you a simple question. Does God’s love deserve a response from us? We under no obligated to give anything back to God for His love; we can choose to ignore God’s gift. God gave with no strings attached—that’s real love.
But does anyone want to respond to God’s love? Is there anyone today who does not want to be embarrassed this Christmas with no gift for God? What can we give God in response for His great love for us?
1. Giving God Our Lives.
Probably most of you would agree, giving God our lives in response to His love would make a great gift. If I give God my life, then that would keep me from being embarrassed this Christmas—right?
At first glance giving our lives seems like a good answer, but what is our life? What does it mean for us to say “I will give God my life?” Put simply, giving God our life means we are giving God everything—but what does that mean?
What is my life? Giving our all to God can be a little vague or hard to understand. When we talk about giving our life to God what does it mean?
Our life is made up of many different things. If we are going to give our lives to God then we would have to give all the different parts of our lives to God. Holding back any area of our life for ourselves means we have not really given our life completely to God. Giving our life means giving it all—or not at all.
What is your life made up of?
o >> Each of our lives is made up of time. Regardless of how rich or poor, no matter what our age, male or female, black or white, short or tall—WE ALL HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME EVERYDAY. Is it possible to give God my time 24/7?
o >> Much of our time in life is spent pursuing money and things. If we were to look at our balance sheet or checkbook register what would it show? How does the use of our money and things identify the priorities of our lives? Have we given our money to God, or have we held on to our money for ourselves?
o >> Everything we do and say is the stuff of life—our words and actions. What if I strive to live my life in all I do and say for God? If before I act or speak I ask myself, “What would Jesus do,” and I do my best to live my life just like Jesus—would that be an acceptable gift to God? Can I give God my righteousness?
o >> An unseen area of our lives is our intellect and thought life. While my thoughts may be a secret to you, God knows the “me inside of me.” Can my time of study and contemplation, can my intellect and thoughts be given to God as a gift this Christmas?
o >> Our life also includes our talents and abilities. Can I use my strengths as an acceptable gift to God?
Let’s consider these things as we give our lives to God. Will we be embarrassed this Christmas in what we have to offer God?
A. Giving God Our Time.
Each of us has 24 hours per day—no more and no less. If we give God our time 24/7 then we offer God 168 hours each week, 8,736 hours per year (8,760 hours each leap year). No one can give God more than 24 hours a day—that’s the best any of us can do.
How small the gift of my time must seem to the One who has no beginning or end.
• Psalm 90:2 (NLT)
Before the mountains were created, before you made the earth and the world, you are God, without beginning or end.
• James 4:14
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (NIV)
You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. (MsgB)
Yet God hold the time of our lives in His hands already. Every heartbeat, each breath I take—every second I’m alive belongs to God. Time is not mine to give to God.
• Psalm 31:15
My times are in your hands. (NIV)
My future is in your hands. (NLT)
• Psalm 139:16 (NIV)
Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
If I respond to God’s love with the gift of my time, perhaps I will find myself embarrassed this Christmas. Surely, God deserves more than something so small—something that is not really mine to give. I must give God more than my time.
B. Giving God Our Money and Possessions.
For some of us giving God our financial resources seems like giving to Bill Gates or Ted Turner. What will someone with millions—even billions of dollars in assets need or do with all our worldly possessions? Yet compared to God Bill Gates and Ted Turner are paupers; everything they call theirs really belongs to God anyway!
• Psalm 50:12 (MsgB)
All creation and its bounty are mine.
• Psalm 24:1 (NIV)
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
God has no need of our silver and gold at Christmas or any other time of the year. Everything we claim to own already belongs to God.
Money is a necessity of life. Without financial resources we are dependant upon others to provide for us. The Bible says, “Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you power to become rich” (Deuteronomy 8:18 NLT).
Our God given wealth can provide us with a home, the clothes we wear, and the food we eat. Money can by us pleasure and comfort—some would even say, “money buys happiness.” But money can never buy love from family or friends, and money cannot buy us God’s favor either.
o Simon the sorcerer thought his money could buy an “in with God.” Simon thought himself to be someone special in Samaria; people would come to him from all over for help—that is until Philip came and preached the gospel and performed many miracles. People were turning to God; even Simon got caught up in all the God excitement following Philip everywhere. Then Peter and John came prayed for the people of Samaria to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit; as soon as Peter and John laid their hands upon them they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Simon was so impressed with what he saw he offered money to Peter and John so that he too could have the ability to lay his hands upon people to receive the Holy Spirit. Peter said, “May your money perish with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought” (see Acts 8:5-25).
Money can do lots of things, but we can’t buy our way into God’s family. Dare we offer our possessions and financial resources to God?
The Bible does teach us to give of our finances to God.
• Malachi 3:10 (MsgB)
Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.
• 1 Corinthians 16:2 (NIV)
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.
While God instructs us to give, and while our giving builds our faith to believe God for His abundant provision in our lives, does money seem like an acceptable gift for God at Christmas? I can give God nothing that is not already His; I can’t buy his favor and grace.
Will money keep me from being embarrassed this Christmas? Neither time nor money is enough; surely God deserves more. What else can I offer to God?
C. Giving God Our Words and Actions.
I want to respond to God’s great gift of love with something appropriate. I don’t want to be embarrassed with nothing to offer God who gave His best for me.
Let’s give God our best. Let’s determine that in everything we do and say we will honor God. Let’s live our lives to pursue God’s will and not our own. Let’s turn from sin and evil giving God our righteousness.
We have a problem though—our best will never be good enough.
• Isaiah 64:6 (MsgB)
We’re all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are grease-stained rags. We dry up like autumn leaves—sin-dried, we’re blown off by the wind.
• Romans 3:10-12 (MsgB)
[10] There’s nobody living right, not even one, [11] nobody who knows the score, nobody alert for God. [12] They’ve all taken the wrong turn; they’ve all wandered down blind alleys. No one’s living right; I can’t find a single one.
Our best will still leave us embarrassed this Christmas. Not my time, my money, nor my righteousness will be good enough for God. What more can I give to God?
D. Giving God Our Intellect and Thought Life.
Here now is the secret part of our lives.
• 1 Corinthians 2:11 (NLT)
No one can know what anyone else is really thinking except that person alone.
No one knows our thoughts, feelings, opinions or dreams unless we make them known. Only God knows what is hidden within my heart and soul; only God knows my secret thoughts.
• Psalm 94:11 (NIV)
“The Lord knows the thoughts of man;” (I wish this verse ended there but it doesn’t—God knows our thoughts and) “he knows that they are futile.”
• Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)
[8] "My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. [9] For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
God’s wisdom—His thoughts are beyond our understanding. God alone is wise in His understanding and thoughts
• Romans 11:33-36 (NLT)
[33] Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! [34] For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor? [35] And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? [36] For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen.
Do I have anything to give to God, or will I be embarrassed this Christmas? My time, my money, my righteousness, and even my thoughts are not enough. What else might I give?
E. Giving God Our Talents and Abilities.
By now you’re probably already ahead of me. My talents and ability will not impress God.
o Think about Sampson. He was set apart from his birth to serve God; Sampson was special! He had it all going for him. Sampson had great strength and single-handedly defeated the Philistines. But Sampson’s strength went to his head—Sampson believed he was invincible. On Delilah’s lap Sampson shared the secret of his great strength. Delilah roused Sampson with the warning of the Philistines coming to take him. As Sampson had done before he got up to shake himself free from his adversaries, but the Bible tells us something was very different this time. Sampson “did not know that the Lord had left him” (Judges 16:20 NIV).
I can do nothing except God enables me to do it. Whatever strength or ability I have is from God. Apart from Him I can do nothing.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses . . . for when I am weak, then I am strong.
We set out to give God our lives. We did not want to be embarrassed this Christmas, yet given as the sum of its many different parts—my time, my money, my righteousness, my thoughts, and my strength—none of these by themselves were an adequate gift to give to God.
Yet we all agree giving God our lives would be an appropriate gift. We even have scripture to back up our gift. The Bible tells us to give our lives to God.
• Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
What is Paul telling us? What is he urging us to do in response to God’s mercy and love? He says give God your body—give your entire being who you are, give God your life.
Offering our lives as a living sacrifice is a gift holy and pleasing to God. God accepts our lives as a good and appropriate gift. We won’t be embarrassed at Christmas, or any other time of the year, if we live as a living sacrifice.
What more then must I give if my life—my time, my money, my righteousness, my thoughts and my strength, will be acceptable to God?
2. The Necessary Part—Giving God Our Love.
Love makes the offering of our lives acceptable to God. If we give God the parts of our lives without love, all we have given is religious duty. God does not want a gift given as an obligation or duty any more than we do. Each of us can tell the difference between a gift given from a cold heart of obligation and the warm gift of love.
God does not want a religious duty; God wants a relationship of love.
• Deuteronomy 10:12 (NIV)
And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Jesus reaffirmed this as the greatest of all commandments. Above all else God wants us to love Him.
• Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Giving our love to God should be the natural response to His love. The law of the harvest makes it simple—what is sown is what is harvested. God did not give a cold obligation or duty; God gave love!
• 1 John 4:10 (NIV)
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son.
• John 3:16 (NIV)
This is how much God loved the world, He gave His son.
When I give God my life with love, I have given the best I have to offer. My life without love is empty and meaningless.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV)
[1] If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Let’s not be embarrassed this Christmas. Let’s offer our lives to God—not as an obligation, but let’s give God our lives filled with our love for Him.
