The Perfect Gift

The Perfect Gift : Message for Bethel Bi-lingual Service’s Christmas Celebration

By Preacher William Heng on 25^th Dec 2012

(Message is slightly abridged, with the permission of Pr Wiliiam, for this blog.)

Christmas is a time of giving. Do you find buying a perfect gift for someone difficult? Especially someone who is special in your life?

Finding the right gift for the right person is a big challenge. For example, you have to know what are his/her likes and dislikes, character, style, taste and even color.  In short, to find and buy the right gift for the person, you need to know who you are giving to.

What makes it even tougher is the ability to find the right gift, from the right outlet and with the right price, and according to your budget.

Are you aware that a gift usually conveys 3 core messages.

1.      It conveys a message about the giver’s economic, social status plus moral value in life. For example, an expensive gift generally gives the perception that the giver is rich. If a gift has religious bearing, we often think that the giver is a pious person.

2.      While a gift may not tell the true worth of the recipient, it conveys the importance of the recipient to the giver. For example, the gifts of the Magi convey their recognition of Jesus’ significance. The gift of gold symbolizes that Jesus is king. The gift of incense symbolizes that Jesus is God. And the gift of myrrh symbolizes that Jesus is our Redeemer.

3.      Gifts are also given to strengthen relationships or to mend a broken one.  A gift is a symbol of good will. The story of Jacob and Esau illustrates this point very clearly. In Genesis 32: 13-21, we find Jacob selecting precious gifts to be given to his brother to pacify his anger and ultimately restore their broken relationship.

The question is “What Makes a Gift the Right Gift?”

1.      Different persons have different ways of evaluating the rightness of the gift. Some people believe that the right gift must be expensive. The more valuable the gift is, the closer it is in the category of being right.

2.      Others believe that the gift is right if it meets the particular need of the recipient. Hence, the most expensive gift may not be the right gift at all, if it does not meet the need of the recipient. Every so often, the most inexpensive gift may be the right gift if it meets the need of the recipient.

3.      A gift is considered right if it is wrapped with pure, unadulterated motive in the heart of the giver. For instance, you can give an enormous diamond but it may not be the right gift because of the motive and the reason.

So, what makes a gift the right one? Is it the right price? To some extent, yes!  The right solution to a particular need? Of course! But the right motive is most important! Sometimes, it may not measure up to the material expectations, but the love that it bears is most important.

As human beings, we tend to focus on the financial value of the gift rather than on the spiritual aspect of it.

Hence, the need that this gift meets is often those at the surface rather than what is deep inside. Even our motives at times are deceptive, often with grains of selfishness if not outright boasting. We give because we have to and not because we love to.

The Perfect Gift of God

This, however, does not leave us without the right gift. The birth and life of Jesus offers us the perfect gift.

If we apply the three evaluation questions that we have discussed earlier about what makes a perfect gift, we will find that the gift of God surpasses our human expectations.

1. The gift of Jesus is, in fact, all the treasures of heaven given to the whole human race.

2. God’s gift is the perfect gift that offers the right solution to our sin problem. Romans 6:23 reminds us of our human condition. “For the wages of sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life.”

1 John 5:11 declares to us that this eternal life is only found in Jesus.

As you see, regardless of the price tag, everything that we give is temporary. They don’t last for a long time. If today I gave you a new car, that car will break down a few years from now. The clothes that you receive will eventually wear out. Everything will pass in time. But the Bible tells us that God’s gift lasts forever. His gift through Jesus is eternal.

3. God’s gift is given not out of compulsion but out of love. Jesus himself said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

4. It is a gift given to restore our broken relationships not only with our loved ones, not only with our friends, but most important of all, with God.

Let me conclude this message with a story:

Long ago, there was a wise and good king ruling in Persia. He loved his people. He wanted to know how they lived. He wanted to know about their hardships. Often, he would dress in the clothes of a working man or a beggar, and went to the homes of the poor. No one whom he visited knew that he was their ruler.

One time, he visited a very poor man who lived in a hut. He ate the food the poor man ate. He spoke cheerful and kind words to him. After that, he left.

A few days later, he visited the poor man again and disclosed his identity. The king thought the man would surely ask for some gifts or favour, but he did not. Instead he said, “You left your palace and your glory to visit me in this dark and dirty place. You ate the food I ate. All these that you did brought gladness to my heart!  To others you might have given your rich gifts. To me you have given yourself!”

Brother and sister, let me ask you a question: Do you want to receive this perfect gift that God has prepared for you?  Do youwant to receive Jesus Christ? God is offering Jesus to you, His perfect gift, the best gift heaven can offer. God is offering this precious gift to you because He loves you. Will you receive this gift? This gift is special; no one can receive this gift on your behalf. You have to receive it personally.

How will you respond to such a precious gift?

All you have to do is ask. Come to him in prayer; confess your sins, ask for His forgiveness, ask Him to come into your heart. That’s all you have to do.