Abundance from Above
Opportunities to give are all around us, more at this time of year than at any other. Do you feel a pang of guilt that you can't do more? Or, on a smaller scale, if you receive a gift and don't have one to give in return? We selfish, self-centered human beings expect our giving to be reciprocated. Why give if we have nothing to gain?
God, however, has a very different take on giving, because divine love is different. Christlike love gives unselfishly and expects nothing in return. Yet because we love God, we want to respond to His gifts. Oh there is no way we could ever repay all He has given to us, but we can give to others our talents, energy, time, and money to demonstrate God's love in our lives - and pay it forward. To whom - and how - will you pay forward God's unselfish love?
Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9