A Note from Liz Borth, Deaconess…

DEACONESS DEVOTION – December 2011
Everywhere you look there are enticing sales and advertisements encouraging you to spend your money on gifts . Once a year people spend frenzied hours shopping for the “perfect gift” to show they care for or to make an impression upon the receiver. Unfortunately, this season of giving is laden with pressure and guilt and commercial economic purpose. What is your purpose and reason for giving gifts?

There are a lot of motives, some good and some not so good. If you give to receive, or out of guilt, or to fill an obligation, that’s not so good. Proverbs 18:16 and Proverbs 21:14 speak of giving gifts as a bribe. Putting the “boss” on your gift giving list can be a way to keep yourself in the forefront. Maybe you offer a gift to keep peace. Look at Matthew 2:11: The Persian or Arabian magi brought gifts to honor a new king. Perhaps the magi understood the prophesy in Micah 5 as a promise for re-emergence of the power of Israel prior to the division of the kingdom, and they wanted to build an alliance. If you give to lift a sad heart, or commemorate a special event, or for no reason at all, that is wonderful. The best gifts are those filled with thoughts for the recipient. If someone is hurting due to a loss, give an hour of your time listening to the pain. When a celebration of life or successful endeavors is recognized with a card, letter, or donation in honor of that person, your commemoration is timeless. It is more likely the Persian magi recognized an event that would change the entire world and felt it important to mark with special gifts. The gold was incredibly useful for preserving a baby’s life from a jealous and ruthless ruler. The myrrh was a foresighted gift: the oil was used as pain relief and valued highly as balm for soothing skin. The incense gift was in honor of the high position in which this king should be placed. Did they know this little baby would smell the sweet prayers of all the saints presented before his heavenly throne?

Jesus gave all people a gift that won’t collect dust, be outgrown, go out of style, or give temporary satisfaction. He promised a teacher, a truth verifier, and peace. Your heart is no longer troubled with doubt or lack of understanding because Jesus gave what you and I couldn’t. The gift of life and a pure relationship with God is God himself living in you. The Holy Spirit is a gift you can share that brings comfort, trust, and peaceful acceptance of God’s unending love. This gift is yours by faith - and not your own ability to believe, for that is impossible – in Christ Jesus. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

I am in His service for His glory,
Liz Borth
Deaconess