How to GiveSample

Start with grace

If you grew up in church, what do you remember hearing about financial giving? Did it start with grace? Was Jesus the first part of the pastor’s or priest’s message? I’m sorry if it wasn’t. Maybe you grew up with the pressure of “give, give, give!” but never got to enjoy, “He gave! He gave! He gave!”

The apostle Paul began his explanation of Christian giving with these words: “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Paul didn’t start with dollars but with grace. He didn’t jump into what we can give to God but what God has given to us.

Although Jesus was rich, living among the mansions of heaven, yet for your sake he became poor. Jesus spent thirty-three years camping on earth. Have you ever camped? Was it the best night of sleep you’ve ever had? No. Jesus had unending comfort in heaven, but he gave up that comfort to be with you. Why? God wanted to make you a billionaire with blessings, to give you so much love and forgiveness that you will never run out. No, you and I didn’t deserve it, but Jesus still did it. That’s grace.

There will be a time to pull out your budget and pray for a generous heart. But that can wait while you take time today to ponder the most generous heart of all, the One who gave his only Son so you could be saved.