Our God is a giver. God finds delight in generously giving blessing to us. When we talk about God’s grace, we are talking about His gifts to us. He first gave us a wonderful world with great beauty, filled with marvelous animals, beautify plants, majestic mountains, glorious sunsets and so much more.  Then He decided to give us His Son.  John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” He didn’t just give us His Son, but He has given us eternal life. Romans 6:23  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Then He decided to give us the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:32 “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”  He has given us salvation.  Ephesians 2:8  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” He has given us the kingdom. Luke 12:32  “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” He gives us our daily bread.  Matthew 6:11 “Give us this day our daily bread.” He gives us wisdom when we ask for it. James 1:5  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  The gifts from God are too numerous to count. James 1:17  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Whatever good thing we have received, whether that be a spiritual gift or a physical gift, it comes as a gift from God. 2 Corinthians 9:15  “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” Some gifts may be greater than others, such as the gift of Jesus Christ for our salvation and eternal life.  But I want to emphasize that our God is a giver. Thank and praise God for all of His gifts to us.

At one time during His ministry on earth, Jesus sent out His twelve disciples.  Matthew 10:1 “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.”  Matthew 10:5-8 “These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: ‘Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.’” Jesus gave his apostles power to perform miracles.  But I especially like what He says at the last. “Freely you have received, freely give.” That is the same attitude that I think you and I should have.  We have received many gifts from God. We should be willing to freely give to others. 

It might be easy to think that you have earned what you have. Why should you then give it away to someone else?  Moses warned the Israelites that when they entered the promised land and became wealthy, they might forget what God had done for them.  Deuteronomy 8:17-18 “Then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”  God gives us the power to get wealth.  He blessed us with those who came before us who helped us along the way.  He gave us the wisdom and the abilities that allowed us to get to where we are today.  Whatever wealth we have today is a result of God’s grace that He gave to us.  All comes from God. Since God wants us to give, we should be willing to give.

How much should you give?  Abraham, with God’s help, conquered the kings that had kidnapped Lot and his family.  As they were returning home, they met Melchizedek, priest of God Most High. Genesis 14:19-20  “And he blessed him and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ And he gave him a tithe of all.” Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils.  The Israelites were commanded to give a tenth of their increase.  The Pharisee in the parable of Jesus boasted to God that he gave a tenth.  Luke 18:12  “I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.”  Giving a tenth of your income might be a good target.

But God hasn’t set a percentage or amount for us as Christians. It is up to each individual to decide in his heart what he chooses to give to others. In the first century, it was prophesied that there would be a great famine throughout all the world.  So early Christians determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.  Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give for this relief.  2 Corinthians 9:6-8 “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

Paul taught that what you sow or give determines what you reap or receive.  If you give a little, you can expect to only receive from God a little.  But if you give generously, you can expect to receive generously.  Paul doesn’t say just what you will receive.  It could be material blessings, or spiritual blessings, or even rewards; we don’t know.  But the principle is that what you receive will correspond in amount to what you give.

Then Paul encourages you to give as you purpose in your heart.  It is up to you to decide. You can give a little or a lot.  You can give grudgingly or willingly.  You can give out of obligation or necessity or out of love and mercy.  But Paul tells us what God wants.  God loves a cheerful giver.  You decide how your heart will be in matters of giving and God will know.  Then we are reminded by Paul that God is a giver.  He is able to make all grace abound toward you so that you will have sufficient and abundance.

Since God is a giver, He wants you to be a giver also.  I encourage you to give generously and cheerfully.  God loves a cheerful giver.