The Gift - Final

Dr. J Hernes M. Abante

2 Corinthians 9:15 - “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

What is giving, and what is the greatest gift? What is more blessed, to give or to receive? 

A gift is basically defined as “something to be given or shared willingly without any expectation of return.” It embodies unconditional love and generosity, and when one truly gives, the giver often receives blessings — sometimes in ways they do not initially anticipate. 

While we frequently associate blessings with the recipient, the Lord emphasizes in Acts 20:35 - “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

The true essence of a “gift” is centered in the person of Jesus Christ. It is God Himself who is the ultimate author of giving, demonstrating perfect love and generosity from the beginning of creation. God's actions have been rooted in giving when He created a world full of life, light, and provision for His creatures. 

God’s motives were never driven by necessity or obligation, but by the purity of His desire to establish a relationship with His creation and to allow humanity to live according to His divine will.

Before creating man, God prepared a home, the Garden of Eden—laden with everything necessary for human life: luminous light to dispel darkness, pure water for sustenance, lush vegetation for nourishment, and a variety of creatures for companionship and purpose. 

All these provisions were given freely and unconditionally, reflecting God's generous nature. Sadly, Adam and Eve’s dissatisfaction, covetousness, and disobedience led to sin, which marred God's perfect plan.

Nevertheless, sin did not diminish God’s desire to give. Despite the presence of sin and human rebellion, God’s grace continually beckons us back. His greatest gift was the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This gift was intended to restore fallen humanity to its original state of righteousness and fellowship with God. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross by giving His life to redeem us from sin stands as the ultimate act of divine generosity.

Before His ascension, Jesus Christ bestowed another invaluable gift—the Holy Spirit—to dwell within His children forever. The Holy Spirit empowers the believers to live victorious lives, to serve faithfully, and to grow in spiritual maturity. 

Moreover, God has prepared an eternal dwelling place, such as the New Earth, New Heaven, and the New Jerusalem, ensuring that His people will be reunited with Him forever in everlasting communion. What an incredible, compassionate God we serve!

An intriguing and meaningful synonym for “gift” is “present,” which conveys the idea of giving continuously or “all the time.” The origin of this term’s usage is not entirely clear, but its relevance is profound. A present implies that God's gifts are always timely, perfectly suited to our needs, and available at precisely the right moment.

God consistently gives at the optimal time. His gifts are always ready to be received without hesitation to those who will receive. His desire to bless us remains unwavering and abundant. In fact, He often provides blessings even before we recognize our need for them because His giving stems from a genuine heart, aligned with His perfect will and divine plan. No wonder God is known as the Great “I Am, that I Am!”

Giving is a process, and at its core lies the value of the gift itself. The significance of a gift lies in what is given, which shapes the nature of the giving and reflects the character of the Giver. The gift functions as an extension of the giver’s love and generosity.

This concept differs when considering human giving, where condition and expectation often influence the act. In God's case, it is entirely different because the Heavenly Father Himself is the Giver, and His ultimate Gift is His Son, Jesus Christ. Through Christ, we are also given another precious gift, the Holy Spirit, who resides within all believers, guiding, comforting, and empowering them to reach out and give. 

This greatest Gift has equipped us to become givers as well. Let us therefore welcome and fulfill the privilege of giving, not with what we know, nor what we possess, but to give what God has graciously given us - Himself.  

In this blessed season of giving, and as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, let us have the desire to be more of a blessing and to remember the words of the Lord when He said, “…it is more blessed to give than to receive!” Truly, the gift of God is unspeakable and full of glory! 

To all, have a Merry Christmas and be more blessed and prosperous in the coming year, not by receiving but by giving!!