“And when we find Him, will we be prepared as were the wise men of old to provide gifts from our many treasures? They presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are not the gifts Jesus asks of us. From the treasure of our hearts Jesus asks that we give of ourselves.”
Thomas S. Monson.
When Jesus was born there were certain men, curious men – faithful men – wise men, who chose to sojourn for the sake of bowing before an unknown King. I admire the wise men. Because these men understood God’s heart behind giving. They did not know Jesus. They did not know the exact place they were going, or all that they would find. The wise men simply had a curiosity welling in their souls that they could not ignore, and they pursued a King they did not know with gifts they were not asked to give.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
-Matthew 2:10-11
The wise men gave of themselves for Jesus. They gave of their time and lives – choosing a journey to an unknown destination. And they did all this for a Savior their hearts had never known. Yet, here I am; knowing Jesus in the deepest hollow of my soul, and still struggling to give of myself for His greater glory.
Am I willing to give? To give gold…as to a King? Myrrh…as to His Mortal Heart? And Incense as to a Living God? Am I willing to give not only of the tangible things I hold in my hands, but the selfish human rights I hold in my heart?
Because God’s heart behind giving…is found in my heart’s surrender.
Gold, as to a king; Myrrh, as to one who was mortal; and Incense, as to a God.
– Origen
Gold for a King: Patience Reflective of a Greater Kingdom
Do we suffer one another with reasonableness?
I think kings must be quite patient…if they wish to keep their sanity, at least. Picture the many complaining subjects who speak without understanding all the complexities of ruling a vast kingdom. Imagine all the advisors and those aiding in the numerous decisions that must be made.
Rulers who are unkind to their people – unwilling to listen with patience and care, unwilling to suffer them – are met with rebellion and revolting.
No one wants an impatient king.
Yet, by God’s grace, as Christians, we are not met with the fate of human rulers, but with the compassion of a patient, long-suffering King. And we are beckoned to reflect the tender heart of our King.
As humans our patience is so slight, so fleeting. And yet, Paul beckons us to “rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:4-5). Therefore, we are to show reasonableness in all circumstances, because we are rejoicing in all circumstances.
Furthermore, we rejoice in all circumstances because we know the God who redeems and restores all circumstances for His holy purposes and in His perfect time.
God’s heart behind giving is found in patience reflective of a greater kingdom.
Do we suffer other people with reasonableness?
Myrrh For the Immortal Servant: Humility Reflective of Christ’s Sacrifice
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
– Philippians 2:5-8
My youth pastor loves to clarify that humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. In other words, it is not self-deprecating. Humility is simply aiming to care for the needs of others more than you spend time worrying about yourself. Because as we are faithful to pursue God’s will, God is also faithful to provide for us in His perfect time and way.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
– Hebrews 13:16
Look to other people’s needs, care for them selflessly. The Bible acknowledges that this is a sacrifice, it is hard to live in a constant humility that is intentionally caring for others. Yet, it is completely rewarding and worthy and beautiful, for we know that just as Christ is immortal, we will one day live forevermore with Him.
God’s heart behind giving is found in humility reflective of Christ’s sacrifice.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.”
– Philippians 3:20-21
Incense for a Holy God: Love Reflective of Life Found in Death
God’s heart behind giving is bound in His nature of selfless love.
The truest beauty of Christmas is that God selflessly loved a world of sinners – so dearly and truly – that He sent His beloved Son to die a horrible, traumatizing death for our rebellious, filthy hearts. That is the true depth of Biblical giving. It is all or nothing. And it is completely stemmed from love.
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
– Romans 5:8
One of my favorite evangelistic verses is Romans 5:8 which says that God loves us so much that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. In our sin God showed His selfless love for us, and that should be reflected in our lives. In the messiness and unkindness and selfishness of others…we should be loving them completely, wholly, and selflessly. Because we understand the value of what love we have been shown ourselves.
God’s heart behind giving is found in love reflective of the life found in death.
C.S. Lewis emphasized this furthermore, stating, “Love is never wasted. For its value is never based on reciprocity.” In other words, God’s love for us is completely independent of our love for Him, and likewise, our love for others should be completely independent of their response or actions towards us.
Gifts of Heaven’s Heart in Lowly Lands
I am still learning curious faith and humble generosity as the wisemen who bowed before Jesus had. My heart still holds back in the still of this world’s echoing hesitations to surrender all – even with a trembling spirit – for the gracious courage of a saving God. But in the deepest crevice of my soul, I am convicted to learn. And so, I will try.
I will aim to hold all things loosely. To burn brightly…and wait gently. To surrender all for the surpassing worth of knowing Him. For He is worthy. And I am learning to be willing.
I am learning to reflect these gifts of heaven’s heart in lowly lands…because I have received God’s heart behind giving. I have received to the fullest. And as I accept with undeserved grace…I am beckoned to give back to my fullest. I am beckoned to try.
Will you?
This is beautiful, Rue! I loved this. Even today, wise men still seek Him. Have a merry Christmas! < 3
Thank you, Alannah! I hope you have a delightful Christmas as well 💛
I love that quote by C.S. Lewis (“Love is never wasted, for its value does not rely on reciprocity.”) Such a good way to inspire us to love our enemies!
Thank you for posting, Rue. <3
Isn’t it simply lovely? I love reading C.S. Lewis’ perspectives on life.
Patience with reasonableness. Ah, yes. How many times I’m pressed on in my “unreasonableness” when responding to someone, to the point that even I catch a glimpse of my folly. Yet, still, I stubbornly insist on pushing through with my opinion or justification over a certain issue. Oh, Lord Jesus, give me holy surrender and in that surrender find Your peace and freedom. And patience.
I relate to this very much! It makes me grateful for His patience in my impatience. 💛
Another excellent blog that is causing me to ponder my actions more. I am looking forward to finding more ReAwaken Hymns!