Day 2: God Gives Generously
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Transcript
Imagine a child wanting to buy a birthday present for one of their parents, but they don’t have any money of their own. So the child goes to the mom or dad and asks, “Can I have $20 to buy you a birthday present?” Maybe you can remember doing this when you were younger, or perhaps you have a kid who has asked you that.
Most parents who have the money would happily give it to the child, knowing full well they’re essentially paying for their own gift. But when the child hands over the present, the parent doesn’t see it as a gift they bought themselves. They see it as 100 percent from the child. And why is that? It’s because the issue is not the money itself—the more important issue is the heart of the child wanting to do something special for their parent.
In the same way, when we give to God’s kingdom—to his purposes—we’re simply returning a portion of what already belongs to him. And just like the parent, God delights in our gift, not because he needs it. He delights in our gift because it’s an act of love and gratitude.
Thousands of years ago, when King David gave money toward the building of a temple for God, he invited other leaders, military officers, and officials to give gifts as well. In 1 Chronicles we read,
“The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. ”
When all those leaders gave so the temple could be built, in the presence of everyone, David spoke these words in a prayer to God:
““But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.””
David’s prayer is a reminder that generosity isn’t about earning favor or proving ourselves. It’s one way of acknowledging that everything originates from God. And when we give, we’re imitating God, who has given so generously to us.
“Heavenly Father,
I know you don’t need my gifts, but you care about my heart. Help me to give freely and wholeheartedly, to be a reflection of who you are. Amen.”
