Grace
In our faith journey, we often encounter concepts that challenge our understanding and push us to grow. One such concept is the transformative power of God's grace, our spiritual growth, and the act of giving. Today, let's explore how these interconnected ideas can inspire and motivate us to transform our walk with God and our approach to stewardship.
The profound truth of God's grace lies at the heart of this discussion. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” This foundational truth sets the stage for understanding how grace permeates every aspect of our spiritual lives.
When discussing giving, it's easy to think of money immediately. However, faithful biblical giving encompasses much more. It involves our time, talents, and treasures - the three T's of stewardship. While tithing (giving 10% of our income) is an important act of obedience, God calls us to a higher level of giving - what we might call "grace giving" or "sacrificial giving."
The distinction between tithing and grace-giving is profound. Tithing is a mandatory act of obedience, while grace-giving is a voluntary act that surpasses the tithe. It's a manifestation of love, joy, and worship. Grace-giving empowers believers to honor God and experience His grace in a more personal and profound way.
Consider the examples from the Old Testament. When God asked Israel to build the Tabernacle, the people brought so much that Moses had to tell them to stop (Exodus 36:4-6). Similarly, when King David prepared materials for the temple, the people gave willingly and abundantly (1 Chronicles 29). These instances show that sacrificial giving was practiced long before the New Testament era.
But why does God provide us with abundance? 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 gives us insight: “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.”
This passage isn't about prosperity theology, which focuses on acquiring wealth for oneself. Instead, it's about sincere appreciation for God's grace and using what He's given us to bless others and further His kingdom.
Spiritual growth is intimately connected to our understanding and practice of grace-giving. Just as a child grows gradually from infancy to adulthood, our spiritual maturity develops over time. Each act of obedience and faith is a step in this growth process. When we give sacrificially, we're taking a step of faith that allows God's grace to work more fully in our lives.
James 4:6 tells us, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” As we humble ourselves through sacrificial giving, we position ourselves to receive more of God's grace. This grace, in turn, empowers us to live more fully for Him and to take further steps of faith, knowing that He is always there to support us.
The cycle of grace and growth is beautifully illustrated in Philippians 2:13: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” As we give, God gives us more grace, which enables us to give more, and so on. This cycle only stops when we shift our focus from God to ourselves.
Understanding that grace-giving often means surpassing our perceived abilities is crucial. In 2 Corinthians 8:3-4, we read about believers who gave 'beyond their ability' because they understood God's grace. This kind of giving necessitates faith - stepping out onto the limb of the tree, so to speak, and trusting God to hold us there.
Think of great men of faith like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and Daniel. They were willing to go far out on that limb, taking step after step of obedience and faith. Each step took them further from their comfort zone and deeper into reliance on God. This is where we experience the true promises of God - when we're in a position where only He can sustain us.
But let's be honest—this isn't easy. Our flesh and sin nature resist these steps of faith. We like to stay close to the trunk, where we feel safe and in control. Yet, God calls us to push beyond our abilities, to give in ways that don't make sense on paper, and to trust Him with our resources in a way that requires supernatural provision.
Consider Noah, who built an ark despite having never seen rain. He didn't accomplish much in the world's eyes—just a large boat—but his obedience and faith positioned him to be used mightily by God. The same God who used Noah is still working today, calling us to greater commitment, obedience, and faith.
As we reflect on these truths, let's challenge ourselves:
1. Are we content with obedience or willing to step into grace-giving?
2. How can we give more of our time, talents, and treasures to God's work?
3. What steps of faith is God calling us to take in our giving?
4. How might our lives and communities be transformed if we fully embrace the cycle of grace and giving?
Remember, God's grace is limitless. The more we give to Him, the more He gives in return—not necessarily in material wealth but in spiritual growth, in closeness to Him, and in the ability to impact others for His kingdom.
Let's pray for God to increase His grace and help us live more obediently daily. May we all be committed to experiencing and expressing His wonderful, unbounded, unlimited grace in our lives. As we do, we'll grow spiritually in ways we never thought possible, impacting the world and bringing glory to our gracious God.