What Shall I Give Thee, Master?

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Words: Homer W. Grimes (no data available)
Music: Homer W. Grimes

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (none)
The Cyber Hymnal (none)
Hymnary.org

Note: Rev. Homer W. Grimes was an American evangelist and gospel song writer who served the Lord, with both music and the spoken word, during the mid-twentieth century. Here is his advertising for a series of his meetings. Little more is known of him. He wrote words and music for Jesus Gives Me a Song, and another called simply Singing (“My soul has found its music…). His song, What Shall I Give Thee, Master? was published in 1934. It speaks well to the issue discussed below.

When Christmas approaches, or a birthday celebration, we likely begin thinking about what would make an appropriate and appreciated gift for someone. In some cases, it could be an easy matter to deal with. In others, for various reasons, it could be a challenge.

If the gift is for a young person just setting up house, many needs might suggest themselves. Or if it’s someone passionate about a particular hobby, that might provide some options. But what if it’s someone hard to buy for? It’s not a very glamorous or creative gift, but money is often given. Then the individual can purchase something needed or desired. A slightly different choice is a gift card for some shop or restaurant we know the person likes.

But what if he or she is extremely wealthy, and seems to have everything already? What would ten dollars in a greeting card do for Bill Gates? To an infinitely greater degree, Christian are put in such a position, when it comes to giving to the Lord.

God created all things (Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11). This gives Him the rights of ownership over them. How can one of His creatures enrich the Lord of creation? David recognized the problem. After he’d collected the materials for his son Solomon to use in building the temple in Jerusalem, David offered a prayer of thanksgiving to God, saying:

“Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You” (I Chron. 29:14).

Actually, the solution to what we can give is we can give God ourselves. Though He has the rights of a Creator over us, this goes a step further in that it’s a willing surrender. The Bible puts it this way:

“ I beseech [plead with] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God [because of all He’s done for you], that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1).

There are several things to note in this important verse. This is something we should do willingly. God is requesting it, not ordering it. He wants it to come from the heart. Second, we should act in thankful recognition of the blessings of our salvation through faith in Christ. Third, when we commit our “bodies” to Him, this includes all of their gifts and potential–our time, talents and treasures. And finally, in contrast to the Old Testament animal sacrifices which were slain, this is to be a living sacrifice, the surrender of our lives to Him.

The dedication of ourselves will include our consistent obedience to the Lord, and ongoing trust in Him. It will also involve, our service for Him. We are to “serve the Lord with gladness” (Ps. 100:2). And “we should serve in the newness of the Spirit” (Rom. 7:6), “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11). “As each one has received a gift [time, talents, treasures], minister it [serve with it] to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Pet. 4:10). These are appropriate gifts for the Lord.

1) What shall I give Thee, Master?
Thou who didst die for me.
Shall I give less of what I possess,
Or shall I give all to Thee?

Jesus, my Lord and Saviour,
Thou hast giv’n all for me;
Thou didst leave Thy home above
To die on Calvary.
What shall I give Thee, Master?
Thou hast giv’n all for me;
Not just a part or half of my heart,
I will give all to Thee.

3) What shall I give Thee, Master?
Giver of gifts divine.
I will not hold time, talents or gold–
For everything shall be Thine.

Questions:
1) What do you think of the old expression “saved to serve”?

2) What God-given gifts are you currently using to serve the Lord?

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (none)
The Cyber Hymnal (none)
Hymnary.org