“Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the presence of all his people,
‘No, my lord, hear me; I give you the field…’”
-- Genesis 23:10-11
Even in the midst of grieving for his beloved wife, Sarah, Abraham remembered that God is good and His blessings abound. Gathered around his friends and neighbors, he asks for some land, a beautiful and secure place where he may bury the love of his life. He asks for a specific place, a field with a cave owned by a man named Ephron, and he offers to pay the full price. But Ephron is touched by his love for Abraham and the pain in Abraham’s hurting heart – and he offers Abraham the land, the field, the cave – all for free. But Abraham will not have it so. He pays for field, a good fair price of 400 silver pieces and thereby officially becomes an owner of a piece of the land God promised him.
This is what you call a win-win-win situation. Abraham wins, because he acquires the specific piece of property he wants. Ephron wins, because not only does he get to show his generous heart to Abraham and all his friends, he still gets a good price for his land. And God wins, because His purpose is fulfilled, His will is done, and His children have worked it all out in love.
This is how God’s grace works in our lives. Christ has given us his love, generously and freely on the cross. We accept His love and forgiveness, and even though we know we could never repay such generosity, we try our best. We use our gifts, we care for each other, and we always look for ways to give more for God’s work in the world. And then God is blessed too. He sees our appreciation for what He gives us, He knows the love in our hearts, and the glory we give Him becomes our reward as well.
May blessings abound to you in 2011. May you live and give generously, so that every day is a win-win-win. May God’s grace come to you in the joys and sorrows of your life and remind you what a great gift you are, and what a great gift you have!
Peace,
Pastor Scott
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