Worthy of our Gifts
This morning, I want to pick up with the wisemen. Wise men from the east came to present their gifts to Jesus. We’ve been doing a series on what Jesus is worthy of during this Christmas season. Today, I want to ask you, what gift is Christ worthy of from you? The narrative shifts now to our third set of characters, these wisemen.
Matthew 2:1-12
So who are they? Let’s start there. The term “Magi” was used in early records to describe the priestly caste in ancient Persia. We estimate they are from Persia or Babylon. They had a strong emphasis on astrology and science, wisdom, and religion.
Since a large colony of Jews remained in the east after the Exile, especially in Babylon, Parthia, and Arabia, these magi apparently had been exposed to Judaism from those Jewish colonies. If it was Babylon they came from, they would have traveled 900 miles, which would have taken them months. Through the Jewish community in their homeland, the Magi may have become familiar with Balaam’s prophecy, “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel” (Num. 24:17).
They traveled a long way, with a lot of precious items that were privy to being stolen. They risked a great deal to look for Jesus. These men were searching for something greater, and when they had found Jesus, they gave all that they had. I have 3 questions this morning for us to contemplate as we work through this passage.
What do we search for?
900 miles with weighty, precious cargo through the sands of the ancient near east was no small task. But these men were driven to find something, seeking to find someone. Despite the journey and the struggles that it bore, they gave it all to find Christ.
Many of us have had a journey of our own. We groped about in the darkness of our world searching for meaning and purpose. We flipped over every rock, we tried to do things our way, and nothing added up to this term that the Bible gives to us: “life, and life to the full.”
Enter: Jesus. The author of life itself, the son of the living God. Does he remain your primary pursuit in this life? Or have you graduated onto bigger and better things?
We have a tension in this fallen world to supplement Christ with something else, or substitute for him altogether. The only one worthy of our searching and pursuit in this life is Christ. We can search all over this world to try and find what only Christ can offer, but it leads to nothing.
May we never forget or take for granted what we have found. Christ is, and always will be, the most precious gift we will ever receive. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be added unto you.
What does it cost us?
If following Christ has cost you nothing, it means nothing. These men gave up everything to seek and to find. They put their lives at risk, their finances, and their reputations. They sought after something bigger than those things.
Has following Christ cost you anything? How much of your life has changed as a result of your decision to say yes to Jesus? We cannot believe that being a Christ follower begins and ends with slipping up our hand and repeating a prayer. Don’t confuse the start of this journey for the journey itself.
In Matthew 16:24-26, Jesus teaches his disciples that in order for them to be his disciples, they have to pick up their cross and follow him. Don’t try and save your life, lose it instead. Where your treasure is, your heart will be there also. Is the most precious thing in your life Jesus? If it were, you would be paying a handsome cost.
Sometimes, I don’t like doing it the Jesus way. Sometimes, I want to bump the rear end of the Alabama marked SUV in front of me. Sometimes, I want to let my emotions speak louder than what I know is true and act out in the flesh. Sometimes, I want to hoard items and things and see if they can make me happy. But that wouldn’t be paying a cost would it? Following Jesus will cost you, if it doesn’t, you might be following an Americanized Jesus.
What do we give in response to what we have found?
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Gold we know: precious, valuable, no matter where you are in the ANE, it held tremendous value. Frankincense, used as incense at the altar, a form of worship. And Myrrh, the word we aren’t familiar with at all. A burial spice, perhaps a sign of what this little baby will do one day: die on a cross for the world’s sin as a righteous and innocent man, and be buried with perfume and spices.
The bottom line is this: these men gave a cost to honor and love Jesus. What do you feel Christ has called you to give? Let’s start with the fun one, our finances. God has given you every penny that you have, is withholding it all for yourself really what you think God designed it for?
Resources come into this house so that we can share the hope that we claim we rest in. We have ministries, people, and buildings that all do the work of God. Will you get behind them financially? This is God’s work that you are giving to. This life is bigger than paper with numbers on it friend, think bigger with me. We give to God’s house, in response to our love for God. It is the most precious commodity in this broken world, but to God? It is a tool for his glory.
It should be obvious that we live for a different kingdom as Christians shouldn’t it? Did you know the average person gives 1.8% to charity? Did you also know, that in the church today the average tithe is 2.5% of peoples income? We are marginally better than the world in this. Are we called to be marginally better or radically church? 10% is what God calls us to, and for me, it is just the start of radical giving. What has God called you to do?
In Luke Jesus says be on guard against greed. He doesn’t say be on guard against anything else, why? Adultery, we know we are sinning! But greed sneaks up on us, we don’t even know until we are challenged.
In Malachi 3:10, God says something that has completely blown the minds of theologians and followers for centuries. “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
God dares you, to trust him with your finances. “Test me,” he says. The only thing God says to test him in. But on top of the dare, he’s worthy of it. It’s time to stop holding back, and get on board with the mission God has for our church. He is worthy of your finances. Money makes a great servant but a terrible master, which is it for you?
He is also worthy of your talents. God has given each and every one of us a talent and a gift. Not to be hoarded to ourselves, but to also, like our money, be given back to the kingdom. Has God given you a gift for tech or creative things? Has he given you a gift of serving other people and a heart to love them? Has he given you a face, and a hand? Because if he has you can serve on the greeting team at the very least!
God wants more for you than the bench. You have got to get in the game. You’ve been sitting and consuming for too long. Do you want to know the difference between a boy and a man? A boy is provided for, a man provides for others. No more baby Christian stuff, give God your talents.
Conclusion
I know Christmas has a fun and playful element to it. We see kids get dressed up and forget their lines and maybe even cry on the stage. But the call of this season is very serious on your life. I’ll steal a southern term for ya: God is fixin to do a great work here, don’t miss it.
When he pours out something great, and moves in a mighty way, I want you to be able to tell those that come behind you, “I was there for that. I saw God move on our church, I was there at the beginning. I prayed. I gave. I spent my time, my talents, and my finances. I invested in the future that God built. I was a part of something that was bigger than myself. He was worthy of my gift, and I willingly brought it.”