SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 2: 1-18
FOCUS: “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2: 11)
MEMORY VERSE: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6: 38)
When the wise men saw Jesus, they bowed and worshipped him, but they didn’t stop there. They gave gifts to Him, namely gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Theirs was not honour that was merely verbal. They honoured Him with gifts. They honoured Him by giving value and valuables. They honoured Him by intentionally giving from their treasures. Their honour for Him had expression. Their worship came with giving.
Friend, honour and worship that does not find expression in giving, is not honour and worship enough. Don’t claim to worship God if giving is not part of your worship. Don’t say you believe in the God that sees you if you have a problem with giving to Him. Don’t lay claim to your love for God if it has not led you to the place of sacrifice. Don’t claim to love God but hate to give to Him. Don’t worship without being intentional to give.
It could be argued that Jesus was a baby at the time, and did not need gold, and frankincense and myrrh, but the wise men were wise enough to know that you do not come to God and not give to Him. The wise men knew that there was wisdom in giving. Never be a part of a generation that thinks it is wrong to give to God. If you freely received from God, you ought to freely give to Him. If you freely received, how can you not give?
God already set the example of giving by offering up His only son to die for the remission of the sins of both born and unborn people. If God Himself could give for your sake, how wise can you be if you fail to reciprocate His giving by giving to Him? If God was willing enough to give, how will you turn around and be unwilling to reciprocate? If God would give, why would you hate to give or fail to give or even not give what is fitting?
Remember, the wise men gave what was fitting for a king. Be intentional to give to God. You serve a King that deserves your gifts.
FURTHER READING: LUKE 6
DECLARATION:
- I choose to give to my King, in Jesus’ name!
