Gifts From a King

In ancient times, kings often demonstrated their lordship by bestowing extravagant gifts on their favored subjects. Such generosity established the wealth, power, and benevolence of the ruler. In addition, the recipients were in a sense bound to their sovereign by the gift -- they possessed something that belonged to the king and spoke of their relationship to him. They were justly expected to use that gift in the service of their lord. The glory was to the giver, not the receiver.

A. W. Tozer says of God, "He gives but He does not give away. All that He gives remains His own and returns to Him again." We serve a King with infinite riches to bestow on His people, and He does so very generously -- all that we have is a gift from Him. As an absolute Sovereign, all in His dominion remains His, no matter who possesses it, and He expects us to use the gifts of His favor to honor Him. Do you rejoice in all your gifts as royal privileges from God? Do you serve your Lord faithfully with what He has given you?

And what do you have that you did not receive?

1 Corinthians 4:7