Distribution of Gifts

We know this expression from daily life, but alas! how limited this distribution is. The average person’s supply is very small, and their goodness is even less!

But what is salvation? It is a large-scale distribution of good gifts. James writes, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights . . . .” Jas. 1:17. “For God so loved the world that He gave . . . .” John 3:16. Paul writes, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Cor. 9:15. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you . . . .” V. 8.

He gives us forgiveness of sins, eternal life, the Holy Spirit, strength, victory, a fullness of the Spirit, our daily bread, revelations, light, peace, joy, love, gifts of the Spirit, etc., etc., without end. He gives us everything we need. He is not a miserly giver. Thus God’s goodness and salvation is: the distribution of good gifts.

What is Christianity? It is to be like Christ, to partake of divine nature. 2 Pet. 1:4. When God, in accordance with His nature, carries out a large-scale distribution of good gifts, and we have partaken of His nature, we can therefore conclude from this that what we are doing is what Christianity is all about! It is the distribution of gifts without end! That is what it means to be good!

Therefore the expression a “stingy” or “thrifty” or “bad” (evil) Christian is a self-contradiction. There is no such thing as a stingy Christian. All Christians are generous. Stingy people are as unchristian as can be.

“That you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: ‘He has dispersed abroad, He has given . . . .’” Read 2 Corinthians 9:7-11. “For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing.” Meditate on what is written in 2 Corinthians 8:2-5.

A Christian’s life is a continuous stream of gifts. All his serving is nothing but giving. He gives God’s word; he gives spiritual and temporal nourishment. Therefore an overseer must be hospitable. He has a care for souls; he gives them chastisement, comfort, exhortation, teaching, and guidance. Christianity is serving and giving your life and everything that you have and receive.

This is precisely why everything we say and do without the love of Christ or without this good spirit and thought (giving people what they need and what is good for them) is utterly reprehensible. All of that belongs on the junk pile.

The only correct thing, the only acceptable thing, the only thing that is Christian, is to disperse lavishly with a good heart whatever it is that people, brothers and sisters, need. Christianity is good stewardship.

If you do not intend to say anything good with your words, then be quiet. If you are not in a good spirit, be absolutely quiet and undertake as little as possible.

Everyone who calls himself a Christian ought to have this unambiguous testimony: “He is a good man,” or “She is a good woman.”

Every word and every step ought to be a gift, a good gift, which it also is if we are in Christ’s good spirit.

Glory to God, the unspeakably great and good Giver! And honor be to all those who are born of Him! They are also good givers, each and every one of them according to their measure of grace and faith and love.