John 17:7 – “Now they know that everything I have is a gift from You.”
These words from Jesus, spoken in His prayer to the Father, reveal something profound about how He viewed His life, ministry, and mission: everything He had—His words, His authority, His disciples, His impact—was a gift from God.
If the Son of God Himself viewed all that He possessed as coming from the Father, how much more should we?
A Shift in Perspective
We live in a culture that celebrates independence, achievement, and self-made success. We’re trained to believe that if we work hard enough, plan well enough, and stay disciplined, we can earn the life we want.
But Jesus turns this idea upside down.
He didn’t say, “Now they know that I built all this on my own,” or “Now they understand my strategies and hard work.” Instead, He says, “Everything I have is a gift.”
What if we saw our lives through that lens?
- The breath in our lungs: a gift.
- The roof over our head: a gift.
- Our spouse, children, grandchildren, friends: all gifts.
- Our health, our talents, our income, our influence: all from God.
Gratitude Replaces Entitlement
When we recognize that every good thing is a gift, gratitude begins to take root. Entitlement fades. Bitterness gives way to thankfulness. Complaining is replaced with contentment.
This doesn’t mean we deny the hard work we’ve put in or the sacrifices we’ve made. But it does mean we acknowledge the deeper truth: without God, we could do nothing.
James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.”
We didn’t choose the country we were born in, the family that raised us, the opportunities that came our way, or even the heartbeat that sustains us in this moment. All of it is grace.
Jesus Modeled the Life of Dependence
Jesus, though fully God, lived in complete dependence on the Father. He constantly withdrew to pray, spoke only what the Father told Him, and acknowledged that His power and authority were not self-generated.
He lived with grateful awareness of the Father’s generosity—and He invites us to live the same way.
Practical Ways to Live This Out
- Start Each Day with Thanks
Before checking your phone or making your to-do list, thank God for three things. Gratitude reorients the heart. - Keep a Gift Journal
Write down daily the small and large gifts you notice—sunsets, kind words, answered prayers, divine appointments. - Acknowledge God in Your Success
When things go well, don’t just pat yourself on the back. Pause and say, “Thank You, Lord. This is Your gift.” - Stay Humble in Leadership and Ministry
Whether you’re leading worship, teaching a class, or mentoring someone, remember: the ability to serve is a gift, not a platform for pride. - Praise God in the Ordinary
Not every gift comes wrapped in bright paper. Sometimes it’s a quiet moment, a hot cup of coffee, or the laughter of a child. See His hand in it all.
The Ultimate Gift
At the heart of it all, the greatest gift we have is Jesus Himself. He is God’s gift to us—our Savior, our Shepherd, our Friend. And because of Him, we can now live in communion with the Father, both now and forever.
Let’s join Jesus in saying, “Now I know that everything I have is a gift from You.”
And let’s live with eyes wide open to grace, hearts full of gratitude, and lives that overflow with praise.
