When we think of the word “giving” in our human spirit we inevitably think, “I don’t have enough to give . . .” And in the natural that is very true, but this section of Ephesians doesn’t even factor our abilities into the equation. It is all about God’s abilities.
I would like to begin our short study by looking at “A Tale of Two Seas.” First of all, there’s the Sea of Galilee which starts in the mountains of Lebanon to the north of Israel. Those mountains average over 8,000 feet in altitude with the highest above 10,000 feet. Those mountains get a lot of precipitation year round from the winds coming off of the Mediterranean Sea in the west. In the winter, it can average over 13 feet of snow. Between rain and snowmelt, the runoff produces the River Jordan which flows cold and clear into the basin that forms the Sea of Galilee. For thousands of years, Galilee has been an abundant source for a great variety of fish and a mild year round climate for agriculture. In the southeast corner of the Sea the waters flow out into the Jordan River again as they head south.
One hundred and fifty six miles later the river empties into the Dead Sea. Why is it called the “Dead” sea, you ask? (I heard you!) It’s dead because from the Dead Sea the water goes nowhere. Rather, most of the water evaporates in this stagnant cesspool of runoff located 1,400 feet below sea level. All the silt and salty minerals just get more concentrated and toxic over time. You can’t drink it, irrigate with it or even safely swim in it.
As Christians, we recognize that there is nothing of any natural value in us, just sin, selfishness and sorrow. In the natural, we are the human equivalent of the Dead Sea. But as today’s scripture passage points out, in God there is nothing but love, truth, mercy, beauty and grace. As adopted sons and daughters of that Living God we have a current and future inheritance of limitless riches. If we have talents, they are from Him. If we have gifts for teaching and preaching and loving and serving in a thousand different ways they, too are from God. And if we have worldly wealth of any amount at all it is only because that is a gift from our Heavenly Father. “But I work hard,” you say (yeah, I heard that, too!). Then thank God that you are healthy enough to work.
But as with the River Jordan and the Mountains of Lebanon, what God gives us is also meant to bless others by giving. If we brag about “our” talents and brilliance and feel like we’ve ”earned” or “deserve” what we have then we really need to go back to Bible 101 class. God “gave” his only son to save us and it is God’s mercy that gives us our next breath. If we have a correct view of reality (a God revealed view) we understand that if we really want eternal, “age abiding” life it is only available in Jesus by dying to ourselves and letting Him live through us. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Paul tells us that “God loves a cheerful giver.” In the original Greek the root word for “cheerful” is the same as the word from which we get our English word “hilarious.” In our carnal state we squeeze every penny until Lincoln screams for mercy. But if we are “in Christ” we know that – like our heartbeat and breath – everything we have is from God. And God in Christ gave His life for us and continues to fulfill the promise to supply all our needs. Therefore we can spend the time, talents and wealth God’s given us while laughing at the Devil who wants us to doubt God and live in fear.
Nine hundred years ago a rich man’s son named Francis from the northern Italian city of Assisi realized the reality of the Risen Christ and literally gave away everything he had – even the clothes he was wearing. He spent the rest of his life giving God’s riches away to all who were in need. We can’t “out give” God. I’ll leave you with his words.
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received – only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.”