As a boy my dad taught me that there are two types of people in the world: takers and givers. Our world is full of takers, but givers are the ones who make a real difference. These are the ones who live Christ’s way, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

What is the greatest gift you have ever been given? More importantly, who is the greatest giver you have every known? Perhaps most important, would anyone think of you?!?

Every true giver on earth simply reflects something of the first Giver. Our great God is the greatest giver in every way…

The length of His giving

Christmas is known around the world as a time for giving. Yet as Christians we should always remember that our God is not a God of seasons; He is the God of eternity. The Lord gives at all times. He never stops!

Our good God is infinite in His resources and unselfish in sharing them. There is no end to Him and there is no end to His giving heart. Indeed there is no end to His gift of eternal life. His gift will not get lost, stolen, broken, or old! He is the greatest Giver.

The breadth of His giving

He gives life and breath. He gives food and clothing. He gives strength and health. He gives family and friends. He gives answers to prayer and even more than we ask. He gives today and promises for tomorrow.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

He gives every good thing we enjoy! He is the greatest Giver.

The depth of His giving

Perhaps the thing that sets the giving of God apart from all others is the fact that He does not simply give things. He gives Himself.

• The Father gave the Son. He gave Him up whollyto be sacrificed.
• The Son gave His life. He gave willinglyof Himself.
• The Father and the Son gave the Holy Spirit. He is given wonderfullyto every believer.
• The Holy Spirit gives us every spiritual gift. He gives

This is more than the story of Christmas – it is the story of the entire Christian faith. God gives us the truth of the gospel. When we receive that truth He gives us His own righteousness. At the same time, He gives us His own Spirit to live within us. There is no way to plumb the depths of His giving. For all eternity we will be delving deeper and deeper into both the gift and the Giver.

Shopping malls are packed with people trying to find “the perfect gift” for their loved ones this season. I wonder how many people remember last year’s perfect gift. It seems they are forgotten so easily. Earthly gifts come and go – eternal gifts do not.

I hope you enjoy every gift you receive this year, and I hope you enjoy giving them even more. But in the busyness of the holiday let’s never forget the greatest gift…and the greatest Giver! “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

The only thing that such giving suggests is: what have I given Him in return? A young Count Zindendorf stood observing an artist’s rendering of Calvary in a German art gallery one day. As he turned to leave he read this inscription below the painting: “All this have I done for thee. What hast thou done for me?” It changed his attitude toward Christ and the direction of his life forever.

Give Him everything this Christmas! You cannot out give God…He is the greatest Giver.

NOTE: Christian giving must always begin with giving yourself to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5). If you have done this I hope you will consider giving a Christmas gift to Christ through your local church this year. He should not be neglected a we celebrate His birth!