Generous Day 4 - Love and Giving

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

It is impossible to love without giving.  Impossible.  By definition, love says “I will do what is best for you, even when it is hard for me, no matter what I get in return.”  Love takes the initiative and acts sacrificially to meet real needs.  It takes little account of its own needs, wants or desires and puts that other person first.  Love will always require the selfless action of generosity…it is the nature of love.

God’s greatest demonstration of love was through the sacrificial gift of his son. Romans 5:8 says “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Note that God took the initiative – He didn’t wait to be asked nor did He delay until we were worthy.    God gift was also sacrificial – it was His only Son.  The true sign of a generous heart is when you choose to give even when it hurts or costs you something (2 Sam 24:24).  And unlike humans, God did not give us his leftovers. He did not wait until He had accomplished everything else He desired to do before He thought to give. He gave his first and best.  And finally, note that His gift met real needs.  None of us could die for our own sins (Romans 3:10) nor would we be willing, but God spared no expense to rescue us.

You can give without loving (1 Cor. 13:3), but you cannot love without giving.  Our ability to give flows out of our understanding of the gifts we have received (1 Cor 4:2).  We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) and we give because He first gave to us.    Reflect on God’s generosity to you today and let it overflow into the lives of others.


Generosity Challenge – This week go out and buy/bring cans (maybe a case) of food to give away to The PRISIM food center.  Take a moment and thank God for that ministry.  You can drop off the cans here at Cornerstone this weekend.


Sun Valley Church, Used by Permission