By GFI board member, Randy Stahmer
Have you ever wondered what the word “GIVING” has to do with the word “GIFT”? Giving is the act, “to GIVE”. So perhaps more aptly what does GIVE have to do with GIFT? In this writing, I will draw a correlation and point you to the source of all GIVING and all GIFTS, that is; the CREATOR.
According to Webster the word GIVE is a verb of Scandinavian origin meaning, “to grant or bestow by formal action”. The word GIFT can be a verb tense or a noun meaning, “to endow with some power, quality or attribute”. In both cases there is an exchange from one to another. So then, the real question becomes, “can you give anything that hasn’t been given or gifted to you”?
This is simply a funny paradox of word play. But I just want you to consider the fact that you cannot give something that hasn’t already been given (i.e., a gift). All of us are given gifts. The trouble most of us have is recognizing what exactly those gifts are. Once we come to the understanding of our own giftedness, then we can address what to do with what we have been given.
I was a girls’ soccer coach for 10 years. Some girls were super-fast. Other girls were bigger and could push the opposition off the ball in order to gain possession. Some girls saw the game with a larger view and at a faster pace. No matter, we made up a team and every member contributed their unique GIFT to the greater good of the team. My job, as coach, was to see the gift in the girl and put them in position to optimize their contribution. It worked and we had a lot of fun.
In the same way, the church is made up of a team or members of the body. Each of us has been given much from the Lord. Some of us are wise beyond measure. Some of us are great speakers and teachers. Others yet are gifted at encouragement and evangelism. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:11-13). Notice that it was He who GAVE.
One key to understanding the principle of giving within the body of Christ is found in The Book of Acts, chapter 2. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they GAVE to anyone as he had need. Perhaps it is time to appreciate the Lord as GIVER of all and as entrusted recipients; our job is simply to GIVE BACK the GIFT given.
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. Thank you, Lord, for sending your Son. And thank you Jesus for the GIFT of salvation GIVEN to us who believe and trust in you. Help us to GIVE cheerfully and generously back to you. Amen!
The Lord not only gives us gifts to serve others, but He rewards (!) as we do so under His command and direction. There is a reason that one of His favorite adjectives is “My servant ________ .”