Every Good and Perfect Gift

Good Morning,

James 1:17 (NIV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Can we agree with this verse of Scripture? I mean, is it right to believe in what it says? That EVERY "good and perfect gift" comes from God? I don't think we'd argue that point, would we? All the good that comes down to mankind, in whatever form, originally comes from God, at least that's what we read in this verse of Scripture, isn't it?

We believe, those of us who are Christians, that God is the ultimate author of all we read in the Bible and that He only used people so that His words and thoughts would be written down for all of humanity to read and to be used go guide us on our path in this world. So, I guess what James wrote is correct...at least I surely believe it.

So, if all good and perfect gifts come from God, what, exactly, ought we to do with those gifts from God? Should we hoard them up and keep them for themselves as they are bestowed upon us by God? Should we only share what God gives us with our families and close friends? Ought we to keep our God given gifts and try to increase them so we can have even more? I'm sure that most of us would pale at these kinds of thoughts and heartily disagree with what I just wrote about keeping to ourselves what God has so graciously given us. I'm also sure that we would agree that what God gives to us should be used to increase His kingdom and to help His children and our neighbors. Would that seem more like what God wants from us as He imparts His gifts to us? To share them with others? To help where help is needed? To insure that none of our neighbors are hungry? To help those in need of medical care? (Okay, let's remember exactly WHO is our neighbor here. Jesus taught us that ALL people are our neighbors.)

In other words, to do anything BUT hoard and keep God's gifts to ourselves.

So, what are we doing with His gifts? Too many of us are much like those who hoard and keep to themselves what God has given to them. We become greedy with God's gifts as unbelievers are greedy with their wealth. Oh, let's not forget that the wealth that people get DOES come from God...believer or non believer. God makes it rain on EVERYONE...the good and the evil, the believer and the non believer...at least that's what my Bible says. So, again, how do we use those "good and perfect" gifts that God gives?

I can get all political here and probably anger many of my good friends; go on and on about how we're not taking care of those most in need...as Jesus said, "The least of these my brothers,"...but, this isn't the place for political argument. This is a place to send along what God gives me to send.

Today, the message I hear clearly is that we need to look more closely at what we're doing with what God has given to us. Today that message I hear is that those of us with much ought to be sharing much and those of us with little ought to be sharing the little we have. I mean, it all comes from God. It has all been given to us not just to use for ourselves but to use for all of our neighbors, friends, family, and, well, I guess with all of humanity.

Think about it.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David