Receive Gratefully

From Pilgrims to Presents

Edward Winslow wrote:

Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you, partakers of our plenty.

Saint Nicholas

“The Giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic His giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.” ~Attributed to St. Nicholas

This time of year is all about gratitude. We are reminded of God’s provision and the gifts that He has given, the greatest of which is the gift of His Son Jesus. This quote that is attributed to Saint Nicholas reflects the heart every Christian should have and live by.

God is generous towards us which turns our hearts in gratitude to Him and sparks within us a desire to express our gratitude through generosity to others.

The Giver of every good and perfect gift . . .

What has God given us?

James 1:17 ESV

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

The gift of life

Acts 17:24–25 ESV

24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

The gift of grace

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

The gift of the Son

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

The gift of adoption

Ephesians 1:3–5 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

The gift of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

The gift of hope

Romans 15:13 ESV

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

. . . has called upon us to mimic His giving, by grace, through faith.

How do we mimic God’s giving?

Give Grace

Who needs grace? Who has failed and needs to be forgiven and given another chance? Who will you run into on the road, at the store, in your home, or on the job. Are you going to be quick to condemn or quick to forgive?

Give Jesus

Who needs Jesus? Who needs to know that they are loved no matter what?

Give family

Who needs family? Who needs to know that they belong? That they have a place to call home where they can rest, be restored, and be real.

Give Presence

Who needs support? Who needs to know that there are people they can count on. Who needs people who will speak the truth into their lives? Who needs to know that even when we are at our worst there will be someone to walk by our side and challenge us to be better?

Give Hope

Who needs hope? Who is dealing with a sorrow so big that is feels like it will crush them? Who is trapped in cycle that keeps kicking them to the dirt? Who needs to know that there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel?

Give Life

When we give all these things to people around us we give life.

John 6:66–69 ESV

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Who can you bring theWords of Life to?

So this season we ask the question,

What does it look like to Receive Gratefully?