Our Generosity is the First Fruits of God's Harvest
Daily Scripture
James 1:13-18
13 No one who is tested should say, “God is tempting me!” This is because God is not tempted by any form of evil, nor does he tempt anyone. 14 Everyone is tempted by their own cravings; they are lured away and enticed by them. 15 Once those cravings conceive, they give birth to sin; and when sin grows up, it gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all. 18 He chose to give us birth by his true word, and here is the result: we are like the first crop from the harvest of everything he created.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Yesterday we read how agricultural Israel gave God the ‘first fruits’—the first portion of their harvest (cf. Deuteronomy 26). In today’s passage, James adapted that imagery for Christian spiritual life, saying that all Christ-followers are the ‘first crop’ from God’s harvest. One sign of that identity is our generosity—a response to our Creator, who gives us “every good gift, every perfect gift.”
- Scripture consistently reminds us that our giving to God is always “giving back”—not giving something we didn’t first receive. Scholar N. T. Wright wrote, “James grounded his teaching in what is true about God himself, God the generous giver, the ‘father of lights’. Everything that truly lights up the world is a gift from him.” * Can you recall one or two times when you were keenly aware that whatever you have—time, talent, money, or anything else—is a gift from God?”
- During painful seasons, it’s tempting to ask, “Why is God doing this?” James offered clarity: “No one who is tested should say, ‘God is tempting me!’” God doesn’t author evil or pain. Instead, every good and perfect gift comes from him. How might this truth reshape your understanding of God when life brings suffering? How can it help you comfort others who struggle with the same question?
Prayer
A daily reminder from Pastor Hamilton: Our hope is that tonight or tomorrow morning, continuing through Christmas, each of you will, either in the morning or at night, take the time to write down three things you are thankful for. You might write these in the form of a thank you letter to God, or simply write down a journal entry.
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for reminding me that you are the source of good things, not bad. Let your generosity fill my heart so that I learn more and more to act as you do. Amen.
GPS Insights
Lydia Kim
Lydia Kim, who serves as a pastor of Connection and Care at Resurrection Leawood, wrote today's Insights. An avid believer that growing in faith pairs well with fellowship and food, she is always ready for recommendations on local restaurants and coffee shops.
I love this reminder from James that God doesn’t put us to the test. In my youth, I struggled for a long time with the idea that God was “testing” or “tempting” me, and it made me very distrustful and confused by God. It also made me feel like I wasn’t ever good enough or worthy enough, and as I made mistakes, I questioned if God really loved me.
Once I learned and experienced God as the one who wrings good from even the worst of circumstances, my image of God became more congruent with what I knew about Jesus–God is good, completely good. (James says it like this in verse 17: “the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change.”)
God doesn’t change, but we do. Sometimes the change leads us to dark places and spaces; sometimes it leads us closer to God and to understanding who we are–“the first crop from the harvest,” worthy, chosen. I have been down both paths, and I can honestly say that choosing to trust in God’s goodness changes you. It allows us to recognize those good gifts that come from above, and when you know you are loved, it is easier to love others. When I realized God really loved me, I didn’t have to be afraid that I wasn’t good enough or put up a front; I found the freedom to be myself. I pray the same for you. That you would bask in the goodness of God, know that God is for you, and that you were designed to share from a heart of gratefulness.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Wright, N. T., The Early Christian Letters for Everyone (The New Testament for Everyone) (p. 9). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.
