Theme: COMMENTARY ON JAMES CHAPTERS 1 – 2
Text: “Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” – James 1:16-18.
Comment: The gifts God gives to His people are good and perfect in that they are for the glory of God and the benefit of mankind. See 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.
Joseph was given the gift of interpreting dreams and through that many souls were saved from starvation. (Genesis 41:15,16, 38,39) Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah was “filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship …” (Exodus 31:2-6) Ahithophel, was a privy councillor of David, and his wisdom was so highly esteemed, that it was said that if a man sought his advice, it was as if he had enquired at the oracle of God. (2 Samuel 16:23) God Almighty does not change but keeps His promises. He still endows the faithful with gifts. See Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 6:18.
According to the law of God, individual Israelites harvested choice examples of their crops and dedicated such to God, as their first fruit offering. (Exodus 23:19; 34:22; Leviticus 2:14-16 etc) The apostles “have the firstfruits of the Spirit”, (Romans 8:23) in that they are taught in spirit by God through Jesus Christ and thereby empowered or commissioned by Him to teach others the accurate knowledge of God. The point however is that whatever gift one has he should be appreciative and make full use of it to the glory of God and for his salvation. – Romans 12:3.