In Giving, You Lose Nothing

[274 words]

The Christian faith has always placed a great emphasis on giving. This is due in part because we serve a giving God. He is a God of abundance (John 10:10; James 1:5; Psalm 103:8; Isaiah 55:1-7; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Romans 5:20), and He loves to give. He sacrificed willingly on the cross and then invited us into fullness of life. As His children, we are called to imitate Him (Ephesians 5:1). Therefore, our generosity in giving is a demonstration of God’s character and a response to what He has done for us.

The Bible teaches that Christians are called to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:14-16). One way we show that light is through our generosity in giving. Generosity shines a light by pointing others to God; it is an appropriate response to what God has done for us. Not only does our giving demonstrate God’s character to the world, it results in increased faith for us. When we are willing to give, we declare that our faith does not depend on material possessions. Instead, we show that our faith is in God, who is always faithful to provide (1 Kings 17:7-16).

John Bunyan, the author of The Pilgrims Progress, wrote, “a man there was though some did count him mad, the more he cast away the more he had.” Christians are a giving people and in our giving, we lose nothing. When we give, we empty ourselves in order to be filled again by God. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).