Matthew 2:9-11 NIV [9] After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. [11] On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (emphasis mine)
Gold is the king of metals and is an appropriate gift for one born to be the King of mankind. This new King was to rule not by force but by love. His throne was to be a cross.
They brought a gift of frankincense, which is a gift appropriate for a priest. The Christ was to be the high priest who would open up the way to God for sinners. He was to build the bridge by which we could come into the presence of God and by which God in love would enter our lives.
The wise men also brought a gift of myrrh, a spice that was used to anoint the bodies of the dead. Even at the beginning of Christ’s life there was an indication of a cross at the end of the way.
The wise men were not the ones who started the practice of giving gifts at Christmas. The one who started the gift giving was God Himself.
John 3:16-17 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
God didn’t stop there He continues to give.
Here are 10 ways He reminds us that you can’t outgive the greatest giver, because He is the perfect giver.
James 1:16-18 NIV [16] Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. [17] Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. [18] He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
1. God gives His life.
Genesis 2:7 NIV [7] Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
2. God gives Salvation.
Titus 2:11 NIV[11] For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
3. God gives freedom from the penalty of sin and death.
Romans 6:20 NIV [20] When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. [21] What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! [22] But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
4. God gives His Spirit without limit.
John 3:34 NIV [34] For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
5. God gives His peace.
John 14:27 NIV [27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
6. God gives His friendship.
James 2:23 NIV [23] And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
7. God gives whatever we ask.
1 John 5:14-15 NIV [14] This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. [15] And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
8. God gives victory.
1 John 5:3-5 NIV [3] In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, [4] for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. [5] Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV [57] But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
9. God gives strength.
Psalms 29:11 NIV [11] The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
10. God gives power.
Psalms 68:35 NIV [35] You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
I gave you just ten ways add God’s reminders to you in the comments section of this post.