DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019
THE GREATEST GIFT
BIBLE READING: MATTHEW 2:1-3; 9-10
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3: 16
In this festive season, one of the ways to demonstrate our love for our fellow men is by the sharing of gifts. People share gifts for different reasons. Some, as a way of buying the favour of men in the coming year, some as a show of wealth, some because it is customary to give in Christmas, as a means of gaining popularity among men etc. If you give for these reasons, you would have received your reward of men and would therefore, not receive a reward from your Heavenly Father.
As God's children, there are certain guidelines He expects us to follow. One major guide is that we are to give expecting nothing in return from the recipient just like God when He gave us Jesus. "And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment." Luke 14:12
We are also to give, knowing that God will pay us back especially those who cannot repay just as Christ paid for our sins in full which we cannot repay. “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17. We are encouraged to give without the fanfare that our society favours, that we may be rewarded by our Heavenly Father in this season and beyond. Luke 6: 3-4. We are also enjoined to do good to all men, especially to those who are of the household of faith. While we do all these and more, we must not forget to most importantly share the greatest gift of all: God's love moved Him to reconcile man to Himself by the giving of the gift of His only Son, as a substitute for man- Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Our acts of love should reflect and buttress the magnanimity of God especially in this season. The essence of the season and celebration is Jesus and we should honour and reverence Him in words and conduct as we celebrate His birth. It is not solely a season for eating and drinking, it is a season to tell and show men God's love and bring them to Jesus.
PRAYER:
Father thank you for giving us the greatest gift there is, even while we were yet sinners. Give me the grace to honour and reverence Jesus in my words and deeds as I celebrate His birth to the glory of Your Holy Name, Amen.
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