Opening Their Treasures

By Jeff Arnette

     The story of Jesus’ birth is a powerful and important story for all Christians. The birth of Jesus had such an impact on the entire world that, early in the fourth century (AD 336), the holiday we call Christmas was widely celebrated all over the East and West. The impact of the coming of the Christ was, as Paul said in Galatians 4:4, at just the right time. A time God had been promising to every generation of His people when the long-awaited Messiah would come and save us from ourselves. Starting with Genesis 3:15 all the way through to Malachi 4:2, God has promised that He is sending us a “Sun of Righteousness” who would come with healing in His wings. Make sure to take the time to read the story of Jesus, especially the story of His birth, this Christmas season.
     One passage that has always stood out to me, as important and often overlooked in the Church of Christ, is Matthew 2:11. In this story, wise men from the east, arrive in Jerusalem seeking the newborn King of the Jews. After some direction from the chief priests and scribes, they make their way to Bethlehem. Miraculously, they saw a special star in the sky, followed it, and eventually arrived at the house where the child Jesus and His parents were staying. Going into the house and seeing the child, they fall down and worship Him. Then, in an act of great worship and devotion, they open up their treasures and give gifts to Jesus. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were the most expensive gifts available at the time and they spared no expense for this new King.
     Shouldn’t we as believers and Christians follow their example and offer gifts to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? There are five gifts that we should all consider giving to Jesus.
     We should give Him our time by devoting time to serving Him, studying about Him, worshipping Him, and being His representatives in a world He died to save.
     We should give Him our treasures by giving the first and best that we have. The treasures of our hearts, minds, lives, and money to Him every day we are blessed to have in this world.
     We should give Him our talents by giving to Him those special passions, skills, and desires that are gifts from Him. Every person has special talents and skills that Jesus has blessed you with to use for the betterment of this world.
     We should give Him our tongues by speaking about Him every day, praising Him in all that do and say, and assembling with His saints to worship and celebrate all the gifts He has given to us.
    “Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11, ESV).

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/