WRITTEN BY TIM LABRECHE
The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; (Psalm 24:1 NIV)
“Mine!”
I believe that word is every toddler’s favorite at some point. If you go near a toy they want, “Mine!” If you try to help clean up and reach for their favored blanket to put away… “Mine!” Toddlers usually aren’t that generous and giving. It’s not in our nature.
As we grow older, many of us develop a personality that embraces generosity. Time and time again, we hear stories of those with financial means, being generous with their wealth. Individuals who volunteer in organizations like Youth for Christ, Big Brother/Big Sister and Meals on Wheels are generous when they volunteer their time.
There could be volumes upon volumes of examples of human generosity. We only have the ability to be generous while we walk this earth, because of God’s overflowing and abundant generosity towards us. That’s what we’re discussing here.
God’s Word is full of examples of God’s generosity towards us.
We’ve discussed in a previous month how, when we lack wisdom, all we have to do is ask God, “who gives generously to all without finding fault,” and it will be given to us. (James 1:5)
James goes on to say in verse 17 of that same chapter that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” James doesn’t say that some of the gifts from above come from our Savior, he says all of them. It’s also good to note that “good gifts” mentioned, must be measured on an eternal scale. Something that may seem to be good, may actually be used to turn our eyes and hearts from our Heavenly Father. Be cautious and use God’s Word and reliance on the Holy Spirit to help you discern what a “good gift” is. Now, these gifts from our Father may be physical, that’s often what we think of. But here’s something else to think of, the most loving act of generosity ever…
Romans 8:32 reads, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Did you read over the part that speaks of God’s abounding generosity??? Did you catch it? It says, “He who did not spare his own Son”. Our God Almighty in Heaven allowed his Son to die in our place. When Christ hung on that battered, blood-stained cross, he not only had the weight of his human body on Him. He also died with all of my sin, your sin and everyone’s from Adam and Eve until the last person born before His return, on his shoulders. It was God generously sacrificing his Son for us so that we may have a relationship with Him.
If God is willing to generously sacrifice his Son for us, why would we believe that He wouldn’t be generous in other areas of our life? He is generous in so many different ways to each and every one of us. In turn, we also have the responsibility of being generous, just as He has been to us.
- How does God’s example of generosity differ from the world we live in today? Jesus has made the biggest sacrifice of all on cross. Do you see your role as a Christian to follow his example by living a generous life?
- Do you typically view your skills and abilities as a generous gift from God? Are you tempted to take all the credit for what you have and how you got it?
- When we give generously others are served, we are blessed, and our God is glorified. Have you ever been generous for the sake of blessing and growing a relationship? How did it go? Is there a relationship in your life that would be blessed if you took a step of generosity?
