The Little Pagan Drummer Boy

What is wrong with giving Him he best we have?

 

I agree with Abiyah. When I give to God, I want it to be the best, and so often for me, what I have to give is my music. And so, I give him all of me when I sing. I have to be careful, because I sometimes get distracted and I wind up giving Him what is left over. I want to always give him the best, and not just what I have left.

 

As long as we give what we have, God will be pleased with us, not because of how muc material things we give to Him, but because we are giving Him ALL we have to Him.

 

Amen!

 

If that's all that you have to wear, yes...

Aaron....why is that you seem to always disagree with a person's best efforts? I mean, this thread in itself....Little Drummer boy, that's all he had to give, and yet you ask if it's good enough?

 

Yet it is not of man to say if something isn't good enough!
Was it not God who said that He was pleased with the woman who gave all she had in her humility and not pleased with the Pharisees who brought attention to themselves by public prayer and making a display while giving their offerings?

If God was pleased with this humble woman, why would He not be pleased with those who give all they have in their humility.
We cannot earn our salvation, but we can strive to please God...

 

Somewhere it is written, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Matthew 25 for those who cannot find it. End of chapter.

Until all that I have and all that I am is Christ's and Christ's alone, I cannot be fully His follower, His disciple. It is mine to withhold and be disciplined for it. It is mine to obey and give Him all. Then He will take and change it from the filthy rags to a garment of white. I certainly cannot do that myself. Therefore I can only offer what I have and be so grateful that He will accept it and change it to something glorious for His holy purposes.

Edit because I don't want to have three posts in a row! -- Aaron, the Isaiah verse refers to the unregenerate. As a redeemed person, I still know I cannot offer much, but there IS me, and there ARE the talents He has given me. These I give back to Him freely, to use as He chooses. Some resist. He has given even the redeemed that choice. They get disciplined, because He will not leave anyone 'half-done', but still we have these choices. To obey or not to obey, that is the question...

So I will give Him my best, and my worst, and everything in between. But He is certainly to be honored with the BEST I can do at least!

[ December 26, 2002, 07:53 PM: Message edited by: Helen ]

 

Wait! How does anyone know the little drummer boy, a fictional character, is pagan?????

 

There is only one thing anybody can give God, that is yourself.

 

Well, what about "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord?"

What about the song, Give of your best to the Master? I s'pose that's pagan, too.

Pulling one verse out of context should not a doctrine make.

Besides, the little drummer boy is a child. He hasn't reached the age of accountability.

[ December 26, 2002, 08:59 PM: Message edited by: SheEagle9/11 ]

 

Is it not within your power, (read CHOICE) to give to God, or keep for yourself, any talents, gifts, or even self?

Now if you are saying that we do not have anything that "God needs", or that there is nothing inherently "GOOD" enough for God, then I agree. However, that is not quite what I am gathering from your message.

Are you saying that when one does/gives his best then he's not the one doing/giving, but the Spirit of God in him? I disagree if that's your premise. The individual has a choice of doing/giving; God is not forcing anyone to comply.
The story of the "rich young ruler" is a classic example! He "went away sorrowful because he had much possessions". He could have chosen to give his best, ALL HIS MATERIAL WEALTH, and followed Jesus, but he chose not to.

Whether our gifts are acceptable is determined by our motive(s), not by the worldly value; so if the gift is in line with God's will, and it's given for God, then it's acceptable. Certainly not because He needs/wants my $100 or your $1000, but because the gift is from the heart.

 

But God certainly understands the sentiment.

Of course, you've just given someone a great excuse for not giving to God's work.

Why would God want my filthy money? Giving money to God is paganism.

 

The entire song of
"We Three Kings" is fablized! There were not three and they were not kings.

I guess I would rather have Jesus smile at a drummer boy who was offering what he had (do not hinder the children) than believe a fable!

If you think about the fable song -- kings travel with retinues; not alone, first of all. Secondly, three old men on camelback would not have terrified Herod and Jerusalem!

And, in the long run, each gives what his heart prompts him to, just as people gave to build the Tabernacle in the days of Moses.

Our gifts cannot save us, but they can show the love in our hearts for our Lord. They are a way of responding to God, who has given us life through Himself, with what we have. It may be very little, but you know something? I still have some macaroni necklaces given to me by my children when they were quite young, and I treasure them. They are pictures of my children's love for me, and that is enough.