New Covenant Giving: Give in Response to Jesus’ Gift

Corey —  August 13, 2009

       Last week when we talked about New Covenant Giving principles, we looked at giving yourself to God first. Today, we’re going to look at giving in response to Jesus’ gift. True and complete generosity is possible only when we fully accept Christ’s gift of the cleansing of sin and eternal life for all that it really is. Once we understand the full power of His gift, we will see the things of this world in the light of eternity and value our heavenly treasures above our earthly riches.

God’s Sacrifice and Christ’s Gift

       The most powerful motivation we can have for giving generously to glorify God’s name is to look at His abounding and extravagant love in sacrificing His Son for our sins. We need only look at the gift Jesus gave us when He died on the Cross and freed us from the condemnation that we deserve.

       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 (WEB)

       Because of what He did for us, we will have eternal life in Heaven if we will only believe in Him and repent from our sins. Then we are free from all chains – the chains of this world and the chains of death. We will live forever with Him. We have to remember that forever means eternity. If we don’t accept Him, our life on earth is as good as it gets because Hell is all that awaits us after we die. But if we do accept Him, we have our time on earth, and all of eternity after our death, to draw closer to Him. Our life on earth is just a shadow of the good things to come in Heaven. We cannot even imagine the riches we’ll enjoy there with Him. Once we realize that this life is nothing compared to the next, we can be free to give generously because of Jesus’ Gift.

       As a Christian, you must fully realize the implications of what Jesus has done for us and how it affects the decisions we make in this life. This life is not all there is! Your death is not the end. It’s only the beginning of your true life!!! That changes the perspective of everything! The things you have or can have in this life are absolutely nothing compared to what you’ll have in Heaven. That’s why we Christians should be giving so generously and freely in this life. What we have here is worthless compared to our treasures in Heaven! When we give generously we not only glorify God’s name in our loving gifts, but we also testify to the power of Christ in our lives. We show that we value His gift above worldly riches. We exemplify His teaching on giving to the poor. And we demonstrate our love and appreciation for Him and His Gift.

       Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15 (WEB)

       Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!!! There are not just words to describe the amazing love God poured out on us and the abounding grace afforded to us through His Son!! Our generous giving (resulting from love) shouts this statement to the whole world! When you’re faced with a decision or opportunity to give, remember to give thanks to God for His unspeakable gift. With that attitude, His love can flow through you to give more than you ever thought possible. You’ll lavishly give of yourself to others, and your sacrifice will result in many thanks to God, glory to God, and the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

       This is where contentment in Christ works with the rest of God’s Provident Plan for your personal finances to propel you into sacrificial and generous giving that truly glorifies His name. Once Jesus matters more to you than any worldly wealth – once you truly love God with all your heart, soul, and mind – you’ll be happy to give generously because you count everything as a loss compared to knowing Christ. Troubles, trials, and tribulations will have no effect on you because your hope lies completely in Him. This is the power of Christ in our lives, and this is the power of the Cross against all the evil we’ll endure in this world.

       Embrace the unsearchable riches of Jesus’ gift. Know and fully experience the power of His love and generosity in your life. Then you’ll understand the joy of sacrificial and generous giving motivated by pure love. And you’ll testify with your life and your words to the power of Christ and the glory and love of God.

Corey

Posts

Corey is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in religion. While he enjoys learning and writing about Christianity, another one of his new passions is writing about personal finances in order to help others make wise decisions with their money.