The Gift of James

Several years ago, a customer came in my bookstore with her teenage daughter. In the course of our conversation, I learned that the daughter had recently turned 16 and had been given a new car for her birthday. Cool gift, huh? Mom told her to tell me how she came to get the car. It seems that her father had made an offer to her and to her brother that if they memorized the book of James in the New Testament, he would buy each of them a car when they turned 16. Although among the shorter books of the Bible, the book of James is 5 chapters long and contains over 2,300 words. Hmmmm . . . let's see, she just had to memorize a few more than 2,300 words. How hard could that be? How about you try it and let me know how it goes for you?

This little book is a treasure of counsel for how to live this life. The writer speaks to us on:

• listening and doing,
• prejudice, judging others, and relying on your own self-confidence,
• how good deeds grow out of our faith,
• controlling your tongue,
• seeking wisdom from God, drawing close to Him, praying in all things, and much more.

The day that he handed her the keys she told me that her dad said, "You think this car is your gift from me but my gift to you is actually the book of James."

That may be one of the best birthday gifts ever given to a 16 year old. What's the most meaningful gift ever given to you?