You.

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability, entirely on their own. They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints, and they did not do as we expected. But they first gave themselves to the Lord and then to us, in keeping with God's will. Two Corinthians, eight, verses two through five. In 1588, the spanish ship Jerona, the only surviving vessel of the spanish armada, went to battle with the english navy. During the fight, the ship was badly damaged, and the ship's captain ordered the ship to take flight for refuge in Scotland. Aboard the Girona was a young man who was engaged to be married. When he returned home, the young sailor wore a betrothal ring that his fiance had given him as a symbol of the gift of herself to him. The ship never reached the shore of Scotland. Caught in a storm at sea, the already damaged Jerona was dashed to pieces on the rocks. All aboard died, including the young man who was engaged to be married upon arrival home. Centuries later, Roger Senuit located the wreck of the Jerona. Among the treasures reclaimed was the ring that the young sailor had worn. Carved on the ring was an outstretched hand, and these words I have nothing more to give. The greatest gift anyone can give to another is the gift of himself. There is nothing more valuable. The apostle Paul praised the macedonian Christians for their generous gifts to assist impoverished people in the land of Israel. Despite their own meager means, these Christians shared beyond their ability in order to help people they didn't even know and likely would never even meet. The unselfish attitude demonstrated by the macedonian Christians was the result of their love for the Lord. While most assumed their offerings would be quite small, given their circumstances, Paul praised them for doing the unexpected and giving far more than anyone ever dreamed possible for them to give. Why would they do such a thing for complete strangers? They did so, Paul wrote, because they had first given themselves to the Lord. Having done so, they understood that all they had also belonged to the Lord. Like the Christians mentioned in acts four, none of them claimed that any of his possessions was his own. So they were more than willing and eager to share whatever they had with anyone in need. When we love the Lord and others, we will give anything and everything to demonstrate that love. But the most important thing we can give is ourselves, even when we have nothing more to give. That is the greatest gift of all.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to [email protected]. Have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.