We all like to receive gifts. We also like to give gifts to others on special occasions such as birthdays, graduations and weddings. Sometimes it is difficult to think of a suitable gift. Maybe your friend has just about everything, or perhaps you don’t have much money to spend on a really nice gift. You try to think of something they could really use and that they would like and that you can afford. When the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men from the east brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Those that came to hear King Solomon’s wisdom brought him gifts (1 Kings 10:2525And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. (1 Kings 10:25)). On the other hand, judges and officers were not to accept gifts lest they pervert justice by being bribed (Deuteronomy 16:18-1918Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. 19Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. (Deuteronomy 16:18‑19)). Samuel’s sons failed in this, for they “turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment” (1 Samuel 8:33And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. (1 Samuel 8:3)). Do you know that God also loves to give gifts? And the kind of gifts He gives, no one else can possibly give. In Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) we read that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Also, in Ephesians 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8) we find that “faith . . . is the gift of God,” and in Acts 2:3838Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) the disciples were told that they would “receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Only God can give such gifts. Have you received those gifts from Him? You don’t pay for a gift - it is freely offered. But remember that it cost God the death of His only begotten Son to offer these priceless gifts to whosoever will.
1. The Lord Jesus is the gift of God. If asked, what would He have given the woman? John 4:___
2. Before you offer any gift to God, what should you do first? Matthew 5:___
3. How did Simon the sorcerer think he could obtain the gift of God?
Acts 8:___
4. From where and from whom does every good and perfect gift come?
James 1:___
5. When God’s two witnesses are killed, what will they that dwell upon the earth do? Revelation 11:___