The greatest gift you can give someone

Reverend Joel Gaertner

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory.” (John 17:24a)

What is the greatest gift you can give someone?

Would it be a large sum of money so they never have to worry about their finances again? Might it be a good job so they don’t have to live paycheck to paycheck? Could it be giving them a new house and car so they can live a little more stress free?

You have likely heard the phrase “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

All of those things so far focus only on our physical needs. Yes, it would be a nice gift to give a person a large sum of money, a good job, a new car or a new home; but none of those things will guarantee that person a place in heaven.

Our verse for this week is part of a wonderful prayer Jesus prayed for his disciples and for all people shortly before he died. Notice the one thing Jesus asks his heavenly Father – he wants all people to be with him in heaven.

Was that on your list when you answered the question above?

The greatest thing we can do not only for our children or family or friends, but for all people, is to make sure they know that Jesus is their Savior and that heaven is theirs.

Think of all the time, money and effort which is spent seeking to give our children the best education, the best athletic opportunity or other similar pursuits. There is nothing wrong with trying to help our children use their skills and abilities to their fullest, but if this comes at the expense of their souls, something is seriously out of whack.

One of the greatest joys I hear from many of our fellow team members is that as they serve in the ministry of TLHA, they have the opportunity and privilege to share their faith with people who do not have the hope and comfort of knowing Jesus as their Savior.

This is indeed a wonderful privilege to be able to be one of the Savior’s instruments to share the eternal life-giving Gospel. But that is not a privilege which we are given only within our role at THLA. Just as our Savior prayed that all people would be with him in heaven one day, may that also be our prayer and our constant effort to share that message!

Devotion used by permission of The Lutheran Home Association

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Our Father in heaven