Many people have heard the story of Gideon and his victory over the 120,000 terrorists of his day utilizing only 300 men, torches, and trumpets. Most people, I would venture to say, have never heard “the rest of the story.” (Pause for Thought: Read Judges 8:22-9:56)
Gideon was offered the opportunity to be a hereditary king over God’s people, but he declined the offer. Instead he requested a portion of the plunder taken from the Midianites he and his army had defeated. With the gold and various other items, Gideon made an ephod and presented it as a gift to his hometown of Ophrah. An ephod existed in the town of Shiloh, as prescribed by the Lord, for the Levites to use in the inquiry of His will for the Israelites. The ephod in Ophrah would become the center of false worship (Baal idolatry) and would lead to the downfall and death of many Israelites, including Gideon’s sons. (Pause for Thought: Why did Gideon refuse the offer to be king over Israel? How did Gideon’s acceptance of the gold and his giving of the ephod contradict his refusal and rationale for being king? How did Gideon’s gift lead to the estrangement and destruction of the people?)
Generosity is often displayed by refusing to give or receive a gift that would harm (spiritually, soulfully, physically) the receiver and/or giver. We live in a society of instant gratification and have the means to fulfill every pleasure, so it is important to consider our gifts and the consequences of giving them—especially to our children. In kindergarten I received the gift of a comic book from a fellow classmate because he knew I enjoyed superheroes. When I showed my parents the present, they requested I graciously return the comic with the explanation that the comic’s main hero was the son of Lucifer, and we, as a family believed Christ to be our hero over Satan. Devastated, I did what they instructed me to do.
A few weeks later I was shopping with my mom at a department store only to hear about the pending arrival of my favorite superhero—Spiderman—over the loud speaker! I received a free comic and photo with Spiderman, and my mom bought me the 45 record of the Spiderman TV show theme. Needless to say, I was the hero at the class’ next show-and-tell when I revealed my new Spiderman gifts and listened to the theme song. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”—Luke 11:11-13 (Pause for Thought: Have you ever received a gift that brought you closer to the Lord? Have you ever been given a gift that distracted you in your relationship to Him? If so, what did you do with it? How are the gifts you are planning to give your children this Christmas going to help/hurt you and your children’s desires to follow Christ Jesus?)
