When I was a senior in high-school (1994-1995), my older brother gave me a certain gift for Christmas. It was a small square plaque of wood with a smaller mirror attached to it. While square in shape, it is set to be in diamond shape. The mirror itself is overlaid with artwork from an American West motif and in the middle of that are the words, “What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.” That plaque hangs in the office so that I may be reminded of it often. But the other day, I started to wonder, “is this a biblical idea?”
While the phrase doesn’t appear in scripture, the idea behind it is a deeply biblical one. Our very lives are a gift from God and that the way we respond to His Grace is our offering (or gift) to Him.

From the opening pages of the Bible, we are taught that our lives are a gift. “The Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into His nostrils the breath of life,” (Genesis 2.7). Every ability, opportunity and blessing that we possess flows from His generosity. James reminds us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights,” (James 1.17). We are created, loved and sustained by God.
Yet, the Scripture also teaches us that what we become matters deeply to our Creator. Paul urges believers to respond to God’s mercy by offering themselves back to Him: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12.1). By this we are honoring the One who has given us all things and therefore we glorify Him.”
Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25.14-30) reinforces this truth. We read that the servants are entrusted with gifts and the master delights when those gifts are cultivated, multiplied and returned with faithfulness. God gives generously, and He invites us to steward those gifts in ways that reflect His goodness!
Ultimately, the greatest gift we offer God is not our achievements, but our transformation. As we are being shaped into Christ’s likeness, our lives become a testimony to His grace, “We all, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” (2 Corinthians 3.18). This spiritual offering is what brings joy to our Father’s heart.
Indeed, what you are is God’s gift to you. What you offer in return – by His grace – can be our gift to Him.