For God so loved the world, that He gave…

Guest blog by Billy Palmer

I grew up in the Catholic church.  My parents were regular church-goers, and I especially remember the post-service cookies, juice and socializing after worship.  I also distinctly remember my parents reaching into their pockets and leaving a few dollars in the collection plate each week.  They would give me a dollar during collection time and I would add it to the plate with them.  I understood the total amount we were giving was not much.  In fact, I knew it was less than what we paid for breakfast at McDonald's right before church.  However, it was something, and it taught me an important lesson that I continue to this day.

Giving is a fundamental aspect of our Christian journey.  It is our chance to reflect a small amount of gratitude for the incalculable blessings He gives us on a daily basis.  The Bible offers us guidance on the spirit of giving.  "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).  This emphasizes that our giving should come from a place of joy and willingness, rather than obligation.

While the Old Testament established a system of tithing, the New Testament focuses more on the attitude behind giving.  Jesus praised the widow who gave all:  "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on" (Mark 12:43-44).  This story illustrates how the value of our giving is not measured by the amount, but by the willingness and love behind it.

A dad and his son were shopping at the grocery store.  The dad gave his little boy some money and told him he could go buy anything he wanted.  The kid’s eyes grew wild with excitement and he immediately ran to the candy isle and picked out 10 candy bars.  They went to checkout and the boy quickly and happily handed over the money.  While they were heading out the dad asked if he could have one of the candy bars.  With a devious grin his son said, “NO, they’re mine,” and he skipped off ahead.

Jokes and short stories offer us fun and easy ways to remember life’s lessons.  Allow just for a moment a bit of a more abrasive perspective:  the clothes you are wearing right now – whether bought or stolen – were provided to you from God-given abilities and skills.  The food you are going to eat today – whether from the garden or from McDonald's – is provided to you through gifts of God-given talent.  Remember that even your ability to give comes from Him.

“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?”  Romans 8:32

“But since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.  I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.  For 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 8:7-9