Giving of Self

A family in mid-America was rather destitute. The father was unemployed, and the mother’s small income made it rather difficult to meet monthly obligations. When Christmas rolled around, the family was shocked when their mother opened a small package that had a note inside that read, “Good for one dishwasher.” The mother was stunned by the note. How could they afford such an expensive item? They had not been able to meet the mortgage payments for over six months?”

The family was also puzzled because the old house had its original wiring and plumbing; there was no way a dishwasher could be used with such outdated necessities. The small, modest kitchen had no room for such a large appliance. What was Dad thinking when he decided to give a gift of this nature?

While everyone puzzled over the event, the patriarch of the house said, “Read the other side of the card.” He had handwritten a message: “For one year I will wash all the dirty dishes in this household; every one of them.” The children knew their dad would rather do anything than wash dishes, but this is the commitment he made to his wife for Christmas, and he carried out his promised gift for the next entire year without fail!

When I heard the story I was reminded of a statement I once heard, “No gift is greater than a gift of oneself.” Gifts bought with currency cannot compare with gifts of love. Consider the gift of love expressed in I John 4:9-10, This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

God willingly gave His Son out of love for mankind. Romans 5:8 God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Before dying on the cross, Jesus verbalized His intent to sacrifice His life because of His unconditional love. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:13)

With our country’s current economic woes, when giving and receiving gifts this Christmas, consider gifts you make or gifts of yourself; remember the greatest gift ever given was God’s gift of Himself. Paul said it this way: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)