The Best Fruits

Day ninety-six

Do you ever think to yourself "I'm a freak"?  Do you find yourself saying, "Do other people think the way I do?  Why am I so weird?"  That's how I have been feeling lately, weird.  I think it stems from the fact that I don't really understand why the Lord made me this way.  I'm not normal, I used to think I was normal, but lately it has been pointed out to me that, indeed, I am not normal.  So my prayer this morning was one of seeking understanding.  I know that He knows the grand plan for my life, would it be possible for Him to share a little bit of it with me, please?  I have no doubt that He heard my pleas this morning, I just hope that the timing is right for Him to share the answer with me.

Genesis 43

 Verses 11-13 in this chapter would spark my scripture study today:

"And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:"

 "And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:"

"Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man"

Remember that as you read the story of Joseph that he is a 'type' of the Savior.  What can we learn about the gifts we should give to our Savior from these verses?

In verse 11 Jacob tells his sons to 'take of the best fruits of the land'.  This included balm, honey, spices, myrrh, nuts and almonds.  This might not seem like much to us today, but remember these people are in a serious famine, any food offering would have held more value.  But this wasn't just any food offering, it is the 'best fruits', which implies honor, respect, and loyalty to the one receiving it.

I like this statement I found in my research: "The gift Jacob sent to Joseph was a simple gift, but it was a gift fit for a king because it was the best they had. They reached into their dwindling supplies and they sent the best they possessed to Joseph." (Gifts Fit For a King)

The next gift Jacob sends with his sons is money (v 12).  He doesn't just send the cost of the grain, he sends double the amount.  Remember their money was placed back into their sacks the last time they visited Joseph, so they didn't really pay for it. Jacob wants to be known as a fair and honest man, he will pay for what he received.

The last item to be sent was Jacob's son Benjamin.  This is the most precious of the gifts that will be sent.  Jacob hesitated previously to let Benjamin go because the thought of losing another son was too painful.  This was a huge sacrifice on Jacob's part and a test of his faith.  It has a little of the same vibe as the Abraham and Isaac story.

So what have I learned about the gifts I should be giving to the Savior?

• I learned that it doesn't matter what the circumstances are at the time, I still need to give the very best of what I have.
• I need to be honest in my dealings with the Lord.
• The appropriate gifts will require some sort of sacrifice on my part.
• At times giving to the Lord can test my faith. 
• Gifts to the Lord can be simple and still have meaning.

What are some gifts that I can give to the Lord?

Food

Jacob gave gifts of food to Joseph. Food has played a part in some of the most significant events in our history.  It was the fruit that Adam and Eve ate that started the Plan of Salvation here on earth, it was the grain that Joseph stored that saved his people, and it is food (bread and water) that symbolize the body and blood of Christ in the sacrament we take each week. Their is a sacredness in food. The Lord does not need me to give Him food, but their are plenty of His children that need food.  Whether we give through charitable donations or invite others to share a meal with us, we are showing the Lord that we are grateful for what we have been given and we are willing to give to those in need.

Money 

Tithing and fast offerings come to mind (Lev. 27:30; D&C 119:4).  The Lord asks for 10% to help with His cause, it seems more than fair when you think of all the blessings that come from paying your tithing. The fast offerings are great because they can be used to help with the gift of food also (double duty).  

Time. There is a saying "Time is money." If that's true, then He should have the first part, the best part, and not just the leftovers, if there are any. He deserves the very best. I should not wear myself out doing the things I want to do, but I should devote the best of my time to Him and His will.

One of the best uses of time is Service. We are all given spiritual gifts for the benefit of all (1 Cor. 12:7-12).  When we use them to help others we are giving a gift to the Lord (Mosiah 2:17).

Family

The best gift we can give the Lord when it comes to family is to teach them the gospel.  We have been taught that we should "teach the gospel diligently unto thy children" since Old Testament times (Deut. 6:7).  Some families will be asked to send their sons and daughters on missions. To be apart for two years is a great sacrifice and can test your faith, but it is an important gift that we can give the Lord.

God is not looking for elaborate, expensive gifts. He expects us to give Him a very simple gift, the very best we have. That is all He expects, and it is a gift that everyone can give Him! Our gift might be different than someone else's, it doesn't matter, as long as it is the best fruits we have!