THE GIFT OF GOD

In every season or with reason to give or receive, let it be with sincere heart knowing that God sees all. Whatever you can afford to give is what will count before God. With a sincere heart, only engage in giving or receiving without lying or deceiving in your celebrating moment.
Honestly, the gift that matters and counts best, for giving or receiving at all time is Jesus. Jesus’ introduction is not limited to those who know or those who do not know Him. Bible recorded Jesus’ self-introduction to the woman of Samaria which does not know Him, “…If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” (John 4:10) Jesus is the GIFT of God for all man. Romans 6:23 buttressed, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Which kind of expensive or cheap gift are you chasing after to lay hands for impressing families or friends? Why not decide for giving the GIFT of God that is free to give out to your world?
Do you know the GIFT of God for you? GIFT of God is near and not far from man but not knowing the GIFT of God is man’s ignorance not unwrapping GIFT of God.
Often, man is decorated by the GIFT of God but not declaring the GIFT of God. God is not evidence in the way of man’s life. In life, it can be recklessness or destructive in the effort of giving or receiving the gift of this world which is evident in the testimony of Gehazi the servant of Elisha; the life of Ananias and Sapphira.
CASE OF GEHAZI
After the healing of Naaman, Elisha refused to accept gifts from Naaman. Without any direction from Elisha, Gehazi the servant of Elisha deceitfully went after Naaman and stated, “My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’” (2 Kings 5:22) Gehazi deceitfully claimed gift from Naaman against Elisha’s will. Elisha knowing about Gehazi’s deceptiveness, he asked Gehazi for his deception to claim gift from Naaman. Elisha responded to Gehazi’s deceptiveness stating, “…was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?  Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow.” (2 Kings 5:26-27) Gehazi’s appetite for the gift of this world derailed him from arriving at his journey of divine assignment. Just like Gehazi, make the right choice to run after the gift of God not the gift of this world.
CASE OF ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA
Have you been getting away with lying and deceiving others for so long that there are no bounds as to when or where you lie? Lying and deceiving can be destructive to a liar’s life. As much as it reigns outside the church, so it is rampant inside the church. Acts 5:1-2 recorded, “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Ananias and Sapphira were to sell their possessions voluntary without any pressure. Ananias and Sapphira voluntary move resulted in deceiving their brethren. Deception is lying, dishonesty and insincere. Are you an acclaimed believer who will lie, fake, or deceive to get attention or to impress fellow believers? All conduct is accountable before God without hidden from God that does not sleep.
Peter knew that Ananias and Sapphira were lying and not sincere before brethren. Peter responded as stated, in Acts 5:4, “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?’” Was it a good intention by Ananias and Sapphira that prompted their lying to deceive their brethren? Deception is not impressive before God. Whatever is worthy for doing before God is worthy to be well done. The bible recorded the result of Ananias and Sapphira’s deception in Acts 5:5, “Then Ananias hearing these words fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.” Lying and deception took the life of Ananias and Sapphira. Telling lies is a gift of this world. Telling lies is deception which can go unnoticed for years, but it will only take one day for the truth to expose you.  Give up the gift of this world, receive and unwrap the gift of God in addition to your journey of life.