Gabe ist Aufgabe

There is no doubt that we have been given gifts. While the extent, number and power of those gifts might vary, the gift is still present in every person. However, rarely do we think of gifts as responsibilities. We view our gifts in the same light that we view presents, and this is rejecting the biblical notion of a gift.

Since the holiday season officially starts two days from now – and unofficially started two months ago – we as consumer Americans (and maybe even consumer Canadians) are surrounded by the “gifts” that we should be giving to others. We can give them pictures to sit on their desks or gift certificates to buy more stuff or toys to play with if we feel like it, but nothing is required of us. Once it is ours we can do whatever we want. There is rarely a requirement given with the gift – other than a gift in return.

Chalk another one up in the loss column for America. Big surprise we’ve construed another idea to our selfish nature. Several parables taught by Jesus illustrate the point of return for the gift. The most obvious in my mind is that of the talents. The master gives out talents and comes back expecting return on his investment. No one’s ever come to me expecting that I doubled what I got for Christmas last year.

I’m not out to bash Christmas and gift giving, because I like it too. However, the idea of what it means to receive a gift has been tainted. Klaas Schilder points this out wonderfully stating, “election means calling, privilege implies task. ‘to may’ is ‘to must’…Gabe ist Aufgabe,” or, “Gift is Task.” We have all been given something incredible, the least of which isn’t salvation. And we’re expected to do something with these gifts.

The point isn’t to tell you what to do, but the point is to tell you to do something. Different gifts require different tasks. I’m not out to say that salvation isn’t a free gift. However, once we have the gift we are do something with it. Just as the servant who returns to the master empty handed is scolded, we too shall be held accountable for what we are given; whether it is much or whether it is little.

In this season of giving and expecting to receive, don’t forget what you have already been given and what you are obligated to do it response. Our gift gives is our task, and we should rejoice in this for both the gift and the task.

Chris Carson