Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Thanks for participating in today's study; all readers are a gift to me!
Last Friday marked the opening day of the official gift-giving season, which prompted this study topic. However, the true gift of the season is baby Jesus. Not that any of you need reminding, but it is joyful to say aloud, "Jesus is the reason for the season!"
On that note, I dislike the frequent use of the word "holiday" instead of Christmas. Its genericness is meant not to offend, but it offends me! Moreover, "holiday" reminds me of two abbreviations I despise even more: BCE and CE. Now, both are more commonly used than the traditional BC and AD, which divided world history into two parts because of what happened on that "holiday."
My blood pressure is rising, so I need to step back, because BCE ("Before Common Era") and CE ("Common Era") were introduced by my people in the mid-1800s. It just popped into my head that I should write a study in early 2026 about how BCE and CE diminish the significance of Jesus's never-ending impact on humankind by reducing His presence from BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini, which is Latin for "in the year of the Lord.”)
My ranting is finished, so let's explore what the Bible says about gifts.
The concept of gifts is found throughout the Old and New Testaments. Almighty God is the supreme gift-giver because He gifted love, light, and life to Earth. And before that:
"The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep" (Genesis 1:2). And, "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27).
And although God said the following to Jeremiah, the first part applies to us all:
"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5).
Since God granted us the gift of life, He expects a return on His investment. That means, He wants us to glorify Him and use our gifts and talents to further His kingdom. Never forget that God is generous and that all the gifts and talents we possess flow from Him. James wrote:
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created" (James 1:17-18). That verse is about a never-changing God who gives us the gift of life. Then it refers to being "born again" through the "word of truth," which is Jesus Christ.
Back to today's topic, recognize that there are material gifts, spiritual gifts, and our lives as gifts to each other, a spouse, parent, sibling, child, close associate, neighbor, etc.
Hovering above all is the gift of salvation.
This gift is a uniquely Christian belief that God offers humankind eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, made possible by what Jesus accomplished by His death on the cross. Then, through His Resurrection, He conquered death, and His spirit dwells among us. About Jesus, God's greatest gift, Paul wrote:
"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" (2 Corinthians 9:15). Paul wrote about another gift from God along with a mission statement:
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Paul explained the gift of salvation and eternal life offered by God through Jesus for all who believe, when he wrote this most concise and famous verse:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
On the earthly plain, in Romans, Paul wrote about the spiritual gifts that God grants to us so that we may build His kingdom on earth and help others:
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully" (Romans 12: 6-8).
But if you are unsure of your gift(s) that God has granted you, pray about that. You are here for a purpose. (And if you are reading this, take it as a sign!) Or if you have gifts that are languishing, it is time to restart your engines. (Read more in "Finding God's Purpose for Your Life" in Vol. 289 and 290.)
Paul writes extensively about spiritual gifts again in 1 Corinthians. Perhaps after reading this passage, think about giving a "spiritual gift" to a friend or family member this season. It could be as simple as an intimate conversation, and imagine all the money you would save:
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them... Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:4-10).
If you are fortunate to have been given a spiritual gift, you have been blessed. Use it, share it, do not keep it in reserve. Do not be shy about letting the world know. Let your spiritual gift shine so that all can benefit from how you serve the Lord. Paul knew that:
"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29).
Finally, given this season of charitable giving, we recall Jesus's teaching:
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38).
As usual, Paul has something meaningful to say:
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
During this giving season, give someone a spiritual gift, a charitable gift, and most importantly, the gift of love to those close to you, and even more gifts of love to your fellow man through your good works. Amen to that!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer. Her book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible" reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2," reprints Vols. 57 –113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. You can join our new effort in Orlando, Florida. Contact: Myraadams01@gmail.com