I was thinking today of how generous God is. There are so many generous people God has brought into my life who have blessed me beyond belief. Out of all we have been freely given by God we should freely give, and what great blessing we receive when we do so. During this time of the year every time I say "Christmas" it reminds me how God gave His only Son so all could be saved and receive everlasting life through faith in Him, and how thankful I am.
Giving cheerfully and freely is a practical way of giving thanks to God for all we have received. All we have is a gift from God (James 1:17). This life and all the facets of it we enjoy are gracious gifts freely given by a God who created and loves us. Our food, homes, money, and daily necessities are met masterfully by the God who knows our needs and how to best supply them. I am continuously in awe of the many people God has continued to prompt and provide money on a monthly basis and gifts for my family according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. How I can testify of God's generosity through fellow followers of Jesus Christ of time, effort, service, and love! There is bountiful wealth God gives which transcends possessions, money, or any earthly security.
In this season when we remember Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever provided for men, may we be like those wise men who sought Him and bestowed kingly gifts for His use. Most of us do not have gold, frankincense, or myrrh on hand, but we can offer Jesus our entire selves - our hands, feet, resources, time, our very breath - to the end others will know His love and generosity through us. God does not desire a "pay back," for how could we possibly give according to His infinite measure of generosity to us? He is pleased when we respond through giving to others as He has done for us, "paying it forward" in a sense. Our primary motive is not to be arbitrary social justice but to give freely to others for the LORD's sake, meeting needs and seeking to bless in Jesus' name. All benefit from this outworking of God's love. God has purposefully and intentionally caused amazing, miraculous blessing to rain down upon us in our undeserving state. In light of this reality as we have received, so let us give ourselves.
It is an appalling contradiction for one who has received love, forgiveness, salvation, and new life from Jesus to be miserly. Again, I am not speaking primarily about money, though our handling of finances can provide an indication of a heart condition. We are to be bountiful and free concerning the proclmation and living out of the Gospel. That is the context of the often quoted words of Jesus when He said, "Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:7-8 told the twelve as He sent them out, "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." As God has placed upon our hearts let us freely give, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). Our resources have an end, but God supplies of love, grace, and goods are endless. God looks favourably upon generosity, and every signpost along that path was well-set by Him. This is a path without end, and as we walk along this way we can enjoy have sweet fellowship with our loving and generous Saviour.
Giving cheerfully and freely is a practical way of giving thanks to God for all we have received. All we have is a gift from God (James 1:17). This life and all the facets of it we enjoy are gracious gifts freely given by a God who created and loves us. Our food, homes, money, and daily necessities are met masterfully by the God who knows our needs and how to best supply them. I am continuously in awe of the many people God has continued to prompt and provide money on a monthly basis and gifts for my family according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. How I can testify of God's generosity through fellow followers of Jesus Christ of time, effort, service, and love! There is bountiful wealth God gives which transcends possessions, money, or any earthly security.
In this season when we remember Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever provided for men, may we be like those wise men who sought Him and bestowed kingly gifts for His use. Most of us do not have gold, frankincense, or myrrh on hand, but we can offer Jesus our entire selves - our hands, feet, resources, time, our very breath - to the end others will know His love and generosity through us. God does not desire a "pay back," for how could we possibly give according to His infinite measure of generosity to us? He is pleased when we respond through giving to others as He has done for us, "paying it forward" in a sense. Our primary motive is not to be arbitrary social justice but to give freely to others for the LORD's sake, meeting needs and seeking to bless in Jesus' name. All benefit from this outworking of God's love. God has purposefully and intentionally caused amazing, miraculous blessing to rain down upon us in our undeserving state. In light of this reality as we have received, so let us give ourselves.
It is an appalling contradiction for one who has received love, forgiveness, salvation, and new life from Jesus to be miserly. Again, I am not speaking primarily about money, though our handling of finances can provide an indication of a heart condition. We are to be bountiful and free concerning the proclmation and living out of the Gospel. That is the context of the often quoted words of Jesus when He said, "Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:7-8 told the twelve as He sent them out, "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." As God has placed upon our hearts let us freely give, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). Our resources have an end, but God supplies of love, grace, and goods are endless. God looks favourably upon generosity, and every signpost along that path was well-set by Him. This is a path without end, and as we walk along this way we can enjoy have sweet fellowship with our loving and generous Saviour.
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