Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Wise Gift


He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
2 Corinthians 5:15

Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 5:12-15

The popular story by O. Henry, The Gift of the Magi, tells of a husband and wife who love each other but don't have enough money for Christmas presents. So Della sacrifices her prized long hair to a wig-maker to buy Jim a gold watch-chain. Meanwhile, Jim sells his watch to buy Della a beautiful set of combs for her long, lovely hair. When they open their gifts, each has been rendered useless by the other's sacrifice, yet they treasure them dearly as tokens of their deep love.

That story rings true in our hearts because we know that real love and true giving involve sacrifice. In giving us eternal life, the Son of God sacrificed the splendors of heaven, entering a world of woe to die a torturous death. Our own gift to Him is living, not for ourselves but for Him.

Likewise, the best gifts we render others aren't the trinkets and treasures we wrap, but the kindness and servanthood that encourages the hearts and meets the needs of those around us. That's the true gift of the wise.

You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving.
Amy Carmichael

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