Love the gift more than the giver?

People do not seek God. They seek after the benefits that only God can give them.

The sin of fallen man is this: Man seeks the benefits of God while at the same time fleeing from God himself.

We are, by nature, fugitives. —R.C. Sproul

As long as the gifts are coming, the compliments are oozing, the words are flattering, we are easily satisfied with the relationship.

Often it’s not until those are removed that we see the relationship for what it is. Can it hold steady when the blessings are thin? Is it still solid when it’s naked, stripped of all its pretties?

I don’t want to be a fugitive from God. I don’t want to sneak up to his doorstep to grab the gifts, then turn around and run before he catches me.

I don’t want to be so enthralled with his gifts that I forget to be enthralled with the Giver.

He is the main thing. His blessings are only icing on the cake.

Relationship counts most.
Easy to say.
How hard is it to do?

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Do you find it harder to love when the blessings are less obvious? Related:

• A greater gift than Mary’s?
• Which gift would you rather get?
• Fran had a gift to give