Faith in Film 2, "The Ultimate Gift"

A couple weeks ago we got to go through a screening of "The Ultimate Gift," and tonight we'll be discussing some of the themes from this film. "The Ultimate Gift" is a Christian film, produced by FOX Faith films in 2006. FOX Faith had mixed success during its limited run. I saw a few — like the thriller "Three" — which left something to be desired, while films like "The Ultimate Gift" really resonated.

This film isn't the typical evangelical film. It doesn't present a clear Gospel message, but rather it deals with what it means to live our faith. It shows us what is important in life — forgiveness, friendship, and love of others, not money.

The idea is that Jason Stevens experiences a series of gifts that help him appreciate all the blessings he receives from his family. It helps him become the man he needs to be.

The first gift is work. Thomas Edison said "There is no substitute for hard work." The Bible also treats the idea of work seriously. Ephesians 4:28 says, "Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need." We use the work of our hands to express our faith through what we can do for others.

A second gift Jason experiences is the gift of friendship, and that gift comes in the form of Emily. Emily, though just a child, has a larger-than-life faith. Jesus extolled the virtues of a childlike approach to faith. In Matthew 18:2-3, Jesus said, "He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven."

Emily's example and her faith makes an impact on the way Jason sees life. A real friend does that. A real friend lifts us up in times of need. Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." Ecclesiates 4:9-10 puts it this way, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."

Jason still has some growing to do even after meeting Emily. He had to get over the cling of money and had to learn to embrace the importance of forgiveness as spiritual healing. When he's finally able to let go of the things he thought were important — his personal wealth — and let go of the anger that bogged him down, Jason fundamentally changes.

At the end, Jason uses the inheritance he gains to help others. He gives away the money that had been so important to himself and, in doing so, experiences the greater gifts him grandfather and God have for him.

His connections — to Emily and Alexia, in particular — become the new focus of his life. And he reflects this change through the work of his hands. Acts 20:35 says, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Jason's life is enriched by the connections he makes, the way he learns to value and appreciate what he's been given, and his ability to put others first. We should all be so lucky.