A MISSIONARY was once preaching to some Indians. He was telling them how much God loved them and that He had given His only Son whom He loved to die for their sins. “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 3:1616For 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).
When the old Chief heard these words he was quite impressed. A feeling of gratitude took possession of him so that he wanted to do something for the Lord Jesus. He rose from where he was sitting at the back of the group, walked forward and laid his tomahawk at the missionary’s feet, saying as he did so, “Indian Chief give his tomahawk to Jesus Christ.” Then he went back and sat down.
The missionary talked on, telling of how God had given his best when He gave His Son, Jesus, to die for us. The old Chief listened thoughtfully, and then again he walked forward taking this time his blanket. He laid it at the missionary’s feet and said, “Indian Chief give his blanket to Jesus Christ.” Again he went back to listen.
Still the missionary kept on talking of the wonderful grace of the Lord Jesus, how though He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor, when He was willing to be born in a manger and then to die on the cross in order that we might be rich (2 Cor. 8:99For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)). While he was speaking the old Chief unfastened his pony and brought him forward. Again he spoke saying, “Indian Chief give his pony to Jesus.” Then he stepped back to listen once more.
You see, dear young friends, the Indian Chief was like many boys and girls, and older folks too, who think that God wants us to give the things we have to Him as an offering.
“Now,” thought the Chief, “I have given all I have to Jesus Christ who gave Himself for me.” But as he sat listening still longer a new light began to break over the Old Chief’s face. He was seeing something he had never seen before — something that was new to him — and it was the Holy Spirit who was showing it to him and speaking to his heart. He began to see that in giving all the things he had he failed to give the Lord what He wanted most.
This time he rose and went forward with nothing in his hands. But bowing low, with tears running down his cheeks and lips trembling, he said to the missionary, “Indian Chief give himself to Jesus Christ.”
Dear boys and girls, this is the gift that God wants from you — your heart, your life, your all. Have you given Him what He desires above anything else? He doesn’t want anything from you until you have given yourself to Him.
“Son, give Me thine heart.” Proverbs 23: 26.
I GAVE My life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might’st ransomed be
And quickened from the dead;
I gave My life for thee,
What hast thou given for Me?
And I have brought to thee,
Down from My home above,
Salvation full and free,
My pardon and My love;
I bring rich gifts to thee,
What hast thou brought to Me?
ML-01/13/1974