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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
“And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.” (1 Kings 4.29-30; all emphasis above and below mine, jb)
Giving is, at least in most cases, a measure of love. Not every gift of man is an indicator of love, but with God this exception does not apply because “…Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1.17). God is, by nature, a giving God because He is a loving God. Today’s message will consider some of the biblical passages which speak of God’s propensity to give.
Moses said, “But when you [the nation of Israel] cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety…” (Deuteronomy 12.10). This was the same inheritance “…Which God gave to Abraham.” (Genesis 28.4).
“He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens that cry.” “He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes.” (Psalm 147.9,16). Jesus expanded on this thought by saying that God “…makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5.45).
“He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.” (Isaiah 40.29).
“And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.” (Daniel 2.21).
Concerning God, Paul said, “Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” (Acts 17.25).
“And when He [God] had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.” (Exodus 31.18).
The psalmist wrote, “I cried out to God with my voice—To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me.” (Psalm 77.1).
John declared that as many as believed on Jesus, “He [God] gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” (John 1.12).
On Calvary, “…when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19.30). Prior to this Jesus had said, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10.17-18).
And now, the most famous He gave verse in the entire Bible: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3.16). “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22.12). God still has something to give; we choose the nature of that gift!
Questions:
1. Why would we say that giving is a measure of love?
2. Does God always give the things for which we ask? Why or why not?
3. Are there are conditions to receiving the gift that was made available on Calvary? Or, are all men destined for forgiveness and eternal salvation?
4. What will determine the nature of the final gift that comes to us from God’s hand?
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