We act like our loving Heavenly Father when we give. In fact, that is exactly what He wants. As we begin to understand the generous heart of Heavenly Father and His character develops within us, we are motivated to generosity. The Apostle Peter encourages, “You are royal priest, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God (1 Peter 2:9 NLT).” We, like our Heavenly Father, should have a generous heart. Consider these five reasons to give like God.
#1 – God gave His Son.
“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 NIV
#2 – God graciously and freely gives.
“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 8:31-32 NIV
“Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light.” James 1:17 MSG
#3 – God’s goodness and kindness is attractive.
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” Romans 2:4 NLT
#4 – God gives to everyone – even folks who don’t deserve anything.
“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Matthew 5:43-48 MSG
#5 – God gently invites His kids to imitate Him.
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love.” Ephesians 5:1 MSG
Give like God and discover JOY! “You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”(Acts 20:35 NLT) Are you ready to give of yourself to the world around you?
Jim Grassi (Wading Through the Chaos: Seeking God’s Perspective on Life’s Journey (Hayden, ID: Men’s Ministry Catalyst, 2010), p. 121-122.) shares a heart-touching story illustrating the joy we receive when we act like our Father and show others His goodness.
I was doing some last-minute Christmas shopping in a toy store and decided to look at Barbie dolls for my nieces. I noticed a nicely dressed little girl enthusiastically browsing—a roll of money clamped tightly in her little hand. Whenever she spied a Barbie she liked, she’d turn and ask her father if she had enough money to buy it. He usually said “yes”, but she kept looking, repeating the ritual over and over, searching for the perfect treasure.
A little boy wandered in across the aisle and started sorting through the Pokémon toys. He was dressed neatly, but wore a jacket that looked to be a couple of sizes too small and well worn. He, too, had money in his hand, but it looked to be no more than five dollars or so. He and his father had a similar ritual, his father faintly shaking his head as the young lad touched various video games and searched his father’s eyes.
The little girl chose a beautifully dressed, glamorous doll—sure to be the envy of every little girl on the block. She suddenly stopped, watching the interchange between the little boy and his father. The boy reluctantly gave up on the video games and chose a book of stickers instead. He and his father started walking through another aisle and disappeared. The little girl paused, smiled and put her Barbie back on the shelf. She spoke with her father and dashed over to the Pokémon games, picking up one lying on top and raced toward the registers. I picked out my own purchases and got in line behind them. Then, much to the little girl’s obvious delight, the little boy and his father got in line behind me. After the toy was paid for and bagged, the little girl handed it back to the cashier and whispered something in her ear. The cashier smiled, putting the package under the counter.
I paid for my purchases and lingered, watching the little boy come up to the cashier. She rang up his purchases and then exclaimed, “Congratulations, you are my hundredth customer today, and you win a prize!” With that, she handed the little boy the Pokémon game. He stared in disbelief—just what he’d wanted.
The little girl and her father were standing at the doorway watching. I saw the biggest, prettiest grin on that little girl that I’ve ever seen in my life. As she walked out the door, I followed close enough behind to hear her talk to her father. Amazed and delighted at what I’d just witnessed, I heard the father ask his daughter why she had done that. I’ll never forget what she said to him. “Nana and Paw Paw wanted me to buy something that would make me happy … and I just did.” Then she giggled and skipped off toward their car … and I smiled deep inside.
