What is a Gift?

I have a beautiful Bible sitting on a shelf in my office. It is the older King Jame Version that I seldom use. I did not need another copy. I did not want another copy. It was a gift.

It’s a larger edition KJV Bible with gold gilding, multiple ribbons and an excellent genuine leather cover (not bonded leather). It has many nice features, and it looks good, smells good, and feels good to the touch. I looked it up online and found that it is an expensive edition. It was a gift.

It was not given so that I could find it a new home. It was a gift...to me.

It was given to me by an older friend with whom I had studied the Bible. Our friendship grew out of our mutual love for the Lord. When she heard that my family and I were moving away, she wanted to give me a gift to show her love and appreciation. She gave a beautiful, expensive Bible

I do not know if buying such an expensive Bible was a burden to her. Nevertheless, because it was expensive and brand new, I knew that it meant something to her. It was a costly gift and it was intentional.

Even though I do not need that Bible and though I almost never use it, I keep it. It means something to me. It is called sentimental value. It reminds me of my friend and her sacrifice. It reminds me of our friendship.

Have you ever given a gift that was a dud? It is true that many husbands have made mistakes by choosing gifts for their wives that were practical but not sensible. (Think, vacuum cleaner.) And yet, this is not the ‘dud’ that I am thinking about. Rather, have you ever given a gift that was appropriate yet under-appreciated or even rejected? You were sure it would bring joy, but you could see the disappointment on the person’s face. Maybe there was a kind smile and a “Thank you,” but you knew it was not genuine.

Let’s shift to yet another aspect of gift-giving. Have you ever rejected a gift. Perhaps, you received and accepted the gift, but you later ‘regifted’ it or simply set it aside...rejected. And, unlike my lovely Bible, the gift you received did not hold sentimental value. After all, you had made a list of potential gift ideas, but the gift-giver went ‘off script.’ You felt that the giver had not really listened. You felt disappointment, no joy.

Let’s pause here and agree that gift giving can be complicated. Even so, think about the way you give and how gifts have been presented to you. Think about the joys and the disappointments. Would you agree that, in general, the greater the sacrifice, the more meaningful the gift?

Now, think about God.

God is the giver of all good things. Everyone accepts the gifts God has given through creation, such as, sunshine, rain, natural resources, crops, etc.

The most precious and expensive gift that God gave was His Son Jesus. It was a gift of life for the purpose of fellowship with man. Many want this gift, but few embrace it because it is a gift that has conditions. To embrace God’s gift of life a person must no longer embrace the life this world offers. Only a few are willing to die to this world in order to embrace life eternal.

We, in return, give to God. But what can we possibly give? He’s made it easy by telling us what He expects and accepts. We offer to God: genuine thanks, a broken and contrite spirit (humility), faithfulness, obedience, worship. Even our service to others is regarded as a gift to God: justice, mercy, kindness, physical/financial assistance, even a cup of cold water.

This week, think about your giving, but do so in light of God’s gifts to you.


Mark Stinnett

August 31, 2025

What were Behemoth and Leviathan??

The short answer of the title question is: Uncertain. 

(But these creatures are important!)

Behemoth

The name Behemoth appears in the Bible only once (Job 40:15). Its description is that of a great and powerful creature. Some have suggested that Behemoth is the hippopotamus, while others think it is a reference to a mythological creature with symbolic significance, or perhaps, an extinct dinosaur. Each idea has merit, but also difficulties.

Leviathan

Following a description of Behemoth is a reference to Leviathan (Job 41). It is also a great and powerful creature. While Behemoth appears to have been a land creature, Leviathan was a sea creature. A series of rhetorical questions are asked about Leviathan, each suggesting a fierce creature that man cannot catch or overpower: “Lay your hand on him; remember the battle; you will not do it again!”

Suggestions for the identification of Leviathan range from crocodile to mythological creature to dragon to extinct dinosaur.

Making Sense of Behemoth and Leviathan

More important than the specific identification of these creatures is an understanding of why they appear in Scripture, namely in the book of Job.

God mentions Behemoth and Leviathan in a response to the man Job. It is possible that each creature symbolized something in the minds of the people of that day, similar to the way that a lion symbolizes courage to us.

Up to this point in the book, Job had endured terrible misfortune with regard to his family, his wealth, and his personal health. His friends were under the impression that since Job was suffering such misfortune, he must have sinned greatly. After all, according to their thinking, good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. However, Job insisted that his misfortune was not the result of sin. He was quite sure that if he could bring his case before God, the great Judge would vindicate him.

God did answer Job, but not as Job expected. Prior to mentioning Behemoth and Leviathan, God posed dozens of rhetorical questions to Job about creation. (See chapters 38 & 39.) God appears to have been pressing the point: I am Creator; you are not. Job understood and recognized his insignificance in comparison to his Creator. However, God was not finished.

Continuing to exalt Himself (It’s ok for God to do that; it’s not pride but truth.), God said: “Behold now, Behemoth, which I made as well as you…” (40:15). Then after a lengthy description, rich with symbolism of greatness and power, God concluded, “Can anyone capture him…?”

Then God spoke of Leviathan, presumably a creature that He had also made. It was a fierce creature that could not be caught or subdued by man. God concluded about Leviathan, “He looks on everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride.” (41:34) In other words, no one, not even man in his greatness, can match the power and fierceness of Leviathan.

Using two great and powerful creatures that God had created, Behemoth and Leviathan, His simple message to Job was, “You, little man, wish to bring your petty case of suffering before Me as Judge? I am Creator!”

God boldly asserted truth: “I am Creator; justice is mine.” In that, Job could rely on God’s justice even when he had experienced grave injustices. 

We may never know how to accurately identify these mysterious creatures. However, we can trust that our exalted Creator renders justice in all matters.

Mark Stinnett

August 24, 2025

"Holier Than Thou" ??

“Oh, you just think you’re better than everyone else!”

That’s how I’ve heard it. It’s usually said during a heated religious discussion or when someone is being corrected (and they don’t want to be corrected). It is a way of deflecting correction, halting the discussion, and shifting attention in a different direction.

Over the years it has been said that three areas should be avoided in conversation: sex, religion and politics. They are subjects of controversy where people have deep-seeded beliefs that they do not wish to have challenged. Add to that the that most people simply do not take correction well. After all, who wants to be told, “You’re wrong!”?

So, a simple defense mechanism is to attack back, “You just think you’re better than everyone else.” Or, “You think you are holier than everyone else.” Such a counterattack often disarms the other person so that they feel they must defend themselves against that accusation.

What would happen if when attacked back, a person agreed, “Yes, I am”?

“I am holy. I am not better, but I am holy.”

Let me explain…

In recent decades Christians have blurred the line between the saved and the sinner. For most, I think, it comes from a genuine desire to relate to others and share the goodness of God and His mercy. We do not want to appear arrogant in our Christianity. So, we try to relate to others: “I’m a sinner, just like everyone else.”

In one sense, that is a true statement. We can even quote Scripture: “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Or, “There is none righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10) There it is, biblical proof that we are all in the same boat, all sinners. We think that helps us to be more relatable. I’m not sure that the result has been what we expected.

We don’t need to explain the two verses quoted above. In fact, even without those direct statements from Scripture, every human who is able to assess his conscience knows that he is a sinner. How do we know? Every adult has, at one time or another, violated his own conscience. He has done or said something that he believed to be morally wrong. Guilty! And yet…

From Acts 9 forward, Christians are referred to as saints more than any other descriptive term in the Bible. The word saint means ‘holy one,’ that is, one who is set apart, namely, set apart to God as one who was formerly dead in his sins but now alive in Christ. So, you are a saint; you ARE holier than those who are not in Christ. So, we can say with a humble and thankful heart, “Yes! I AM holier than thou,” yet, I am not better than anyone else. So, holiness is not a license for arrogance, but for humble thanksgiving.

The Apostle Paul began his letter to the Christians in Corinth: 

To those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling,….

King David recognized the beauty of being a saint…

As for the saints who are in the earth,

They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.

--Psalm 16:3

As a saint in Christ, you must embrace the different direction that you have taken in life. You are no longer lost in sin. You have been found by the grace of God. That defines your acceptance by God and His purpose for your life. It is true that you are not better than anyone else. However, you are better off. God has made you holy in Christ! Humbly embrace your sainthood!

Mark Stinnett

August 17, 2025

Instruction for Life

Not long ago I took a break for lunch at a favorite fast food restaurant. Seated directly behind me was a grandmother-granddaughter pair. I was not aware of the music coming over the speakers until Grandma informed her granddaughter: “This is not real country music. Real country music was sung by Johnny Cash.” She went on to name others of that era and continued, “Real country music makes you feel something.” (Long pause.) “It makes you think.” The lesson continued.

I call it a ‘lesson’ because Grandma was teaching the little girl (no more than three years old) the definition of good music and its value. I cannot help but think that there will be similar lessons to follow, lessons to reinforce the important truth taught that day. Grandma will someday pass from this earth and whether that little girl embraces real country music or she marches to her own drumbeat, I cannot predict. However, this lesson will undoubtedly be remembered as being of great importance to Grandma.

I cannot help but think that the grandmother practiced what she preached and listened to real country music. That would be another vitally important component of teaching:

1. Model the values, attitudes and behavior that you wish pass on.
2. Verbally express your values, attitudes and behaviors. After all, people, and especially kids, do not always understand your example.

Paul’s instruction, “whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7), may be applied to teaching. It applies to both verbal instruction and the lessons one models through example.

In my opening illustration, grandma thought it important to teach her granddaughter about country music. I reflected on the content of the lessons that I had taught my children.

Paul’s instruction to fathers about the content of parental instruction is compact: “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) There are many valuable life lessons. Yet, many have value only in this life. They are not the specific content of “the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” They are more often based on one’s life experience and home-spun philosophy. That is not what Paul meant.

The entire Bible is filled with the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Instruction is the verbal/written aspect of teaching while discipline is the hand-on, practical application of God’s teaching. Throughout Scripture we receive instruction on honesty, integrity, faith, morality, self-control, godliness, generosity, service, love of God, love of others, and more.

The ‘stories’ in the Bible are also important. Noah teaches faithfulness, patience, and gratitude. David (and Goliath) teaches faith and courage. Ruth teaches faithfulness. Nebuchadnezzar teaches humility (in contrast to great pride). The stories teach us something about the character of man but also God’s expectation of good character. We need to tell the stories, but we must not forget the lessons taught by those important examples. At the same time, we must not forget how God’s interaction with people teaches valuable lessons about His divine character.

You might say that every person’s life declares, “This is how to live life.”

Eyes are watching; ears are listening.

So, what are you teaching by your example? What lessons will continue to ring in the ears of your children, grandchildren and those who knew you? Make sure that you are providing instruction of eternal value.

Mark Stinnett

August 10, 2025

Mining the Scriptures

Anyone who is interested in genuinely understanding God’s word knows that Bible study requires time and effort; much time, much hard work.

I had a favorable experience several years ago when preparing for a Bible class in which Matthew 24 & 25 was to be considered. I was puzzled because the text seemed to refer to two different things with no apparent break between. I was eventually able to resolve my issues and answer my questions by applying three important elements of study:

Saturation: 

This is about the careful examination of a verse or passage or topic. You look at every angle asking questions and refining ideas. You are keenly aware of the difficulties as well as the details of the biblical material. You allow it to constantly turn over in your mind when reading or studying other passages/topics. Even unrelated studies are evaluated for a possible clue to understanding. The material and questions are always fresh.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

—Psalm 1:2

Timing: 

Have you ever experienced sudden insight into a passage of scripture that you had read many times before? Why were you able to understand more that day than before?

It may be simple timing.

Often a change in circumstances provides a heightened awareness of a need. Passages that answer that need seem to stand out. Some scriptures are better understood when a person is an adult, or when married, or with children. I wonder how aging may open my eyes to truths unseen before.

Financial difficulties, loss of job, health issues, or the death of a loved one can all give a person never-before-seen truths or greater clarity. Some passages are difficult simply because we are not ready to understand fully. The timing has not yet been right. Profitable study takes time, much time.

These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him….

—John 12:16

Outside help: 

Do you expect an explanation about Bible dictionaries, commentaries, and other Bible resources?

I am thinking about prayer and the Holy Spirit!

Bible resource materials are useful and should be consulted, but not first. Commentaries, Bible dictionaries and other resources are produced by men. Before turning to man’s resources it is wise to search for meaning and understanding in the immediate text and within the context of the Bible as a whole. Listen to God first. Then pray for understanding. He has given us His Holy Spirit to assist us.

Ask and it shall be given to you.

—Matthew 7:7

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?

—Luke 11:13

God’s word was revealed to us for understanding, not to confuse. So, apply yourself and study. The reward is immeasurable.

Mark Stinnett

August 3, 2025