The Greatest Gift is you!

"What you are is God's gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God." -Hans Urs von Balthasar (Swiss Catholic Theologian) and used often by George Washington Carver (Agricultural Scientist and Inventor)

I found this picture years ago in a thrift store and I put it up in my house. I felt that it was speaking to me and so I pass it on to you...

Do you realize that you are a gift from God? You are a gift to the world. Have you ever given a gift to a person where you hoped that they would cherish that gift and actually use it to the fullest of its worth? Well, that is what God expects from us, His children, His believers.

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (Life Application Study Bible)

We are His masterpiece or as some Bible translations state, handiwork or workmanship. This means that we have value, we were made intentionally (on purpose) and we were created with skill and creativity. 

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

 You were created to be good because God is the source of goodness and does not change and He is consistent in His character and goodness, that includes the many blessings He gives to you in His generosity, and His love for you.

According to Ephesians 2:10 and the wall art up above, God expects you to do good works using the gifts (you and your gifts and talents within you) He has blessed you with.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10 (New International Version)

"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." (Life Application Study Bible)

We are to have the attitude of serving and giving to others. He equipped us so that we can serve and give to others. We are to develop and use the abilities (through our gifts and talents) not for ourselves but in helping others and to build His kingdom.

God made us all so unique. We are one of a kind. Whatever gifts we are given, we are to use them for the common good where we demonstrate God's love and power, making sure all glory goes back to Him. 

A gift is defined as "a thing given willingly  to someone without payment; a present." (Google's English Dictionary). When giving a gift, it is given as an expression of how much you care, and an expression of thoughtfulness. You are saying to the recipient, "I see you and you matter." Using this word "gift" suggests love, appreciation, connection and belonging. Gift giving is an act of serving and expressing love. When you give gifts, especially gifts that are heartfelt and thoughtful, you are serving and illustrating generosity. Your gift to God for his gifts to you and creating you from His greatness and creativity, is wrapped in your service of goodness to others and our contribution of building up the church.

Be good to people.

Show compassion towards one another.

And appreciate others' value and uniqueness.