Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3
In our study group recently, one member shared how God’s goodness was a genuine mystery to them. “I don’t know why the Lord is so good to me.” I believe such a question can only come from one who is profoundly grateful for their blessings in Christ. They have grasped just a little of how much God gives.
On 21st February, we looked at the holy habit of giving. If you missed it, I encourage you to listen online. There is much food for thought, reflection and prayer. Our giving should be a grateful – albeit pale – reflection of all that God has given us. As Paul says, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
In his letter to the Romans, Paul speaks again of God’s amazing giving: “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)
When he wrote of the Macedonian Christians, Paul testified that
they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. (2 Corinthians 8:3-5)
It’s easy enough to open our chequebooks, or pop a few pounds in the collection box. But that’s not what really matters; though they gave sacrificially, the Macedonians gave themselves first to the Lord.
I encourage you to ask this question of yourself: “Have I given myself first – wholeheartedly – to the Lord?” That’s a form of giving that God desires above all else, and there is no greater joy than to abandon ourselves to him.