Scripture: James 1:16-17

How would you approach your life if you viewed EVERYTHING good you possess as a gift?

Tell me if you have had this experience: In your childhood, you are playing with a toy (perhaps not according to its intended use), and your mom or dad says, “Be careful! Grandma bought you that!” Or maybe you are a parent and these words have come out of your mouth.

There is something about receiving a gift versus buying it ourselves that makes it more special and valuable.

James tells us that everything good we have is a gift from God. We did nothing to earn it, which is a difficult truth for those of us who are hard workers. We believe we have earned what we have. And while we may have exerted effort, if God had not given us the brain to think and plan, hands and feet to do the work, food to nourish our bodies, and so on, we could never have acquired these things.

NOTHING good that we ever receive comes apart from God.

This reality changes how we treat what we have, changes how we use what we have, and changes how we feel about the One who has given us all that we have. God loves us so much that He gifted us with good things, and we are invited to use them for God’s glory and for the good of our neighbor.

Do you view your life, your body, your spouse, your kids, your neighbors, your church, your job, your  money, and everything good you have been given as gifts? What would change if you did?