Do I Bring Gifts?

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

And the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 1-2, 9b-11

The Magi brought their worship to the new King; they brought gifts worthy of a King.

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

Expensive gifts that showed their adoration.

Why did they bring these treasures with them? It was probably tradition, but God had another purpose.

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. Matthew 13-14

Joseph and Mary were far from home. To escape Herod’s wrath, they fled to Egypt.

Being poor and alone in Bethlehem, how could they afford the trip, let alone support themselves in Egypt?

Isn’t God’s sovereignty amazing?

He used Magi from the Orient to provide for Joseph and Mary.

They brought gifts out of their wealth to offer to Jesus.

As I think about this story, I ask myself:

Do I marvel at God’s provision?

Do I obey God when He asks me to give out of “my” treasures?

For many of us, God has provided more than enough to meet our needs.

I confess I’m guilty of stashing His provisions away for a rainy day.

Yes, He commands us to be wise with what He gives us.

But He also commands us to offer help to those around us.

We hesitate to offer His gifts of grace and mercy to those who need it.

We often doubt God’s provision in the future and grasp our earthly possessions now.

What a picture of sacrifice the Magi paint for us. They sacrificed their time and wealth to travel far from home.

They gave out of their excess in adoration to the newborn King.

When have you given to others out of gratitude to God?
How did He bless you?