God is a good giver

 

Often, the "golden verse" of the Bible is cited to show God's love: "He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16).  From the creation to the cross, God's giving is faithfully recorded in the book He moved men to write.  Yet, it is an exciting discovery to see that God still gives.  Jesus and New Testament writers give testimony to the present tense giving of God.  Such teaches us to be givers and to be grateful for His ongoing benevolence in each of our lives.  Have you considered what God gives? He gives:

--Life to the world (Jn. 6:33)
--Whatever you ask of Him (Jn. 11:22)
--To all life, breath, and all things (Ac. 17:25)
--An inheritance (Ac. 20:32)
--Life to the dead (Rm. 4:17)
--The increase (1 Cor. 3:7)
--The victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57)
--Life to all things (1 Tim. 613)
--Richly all things to be enjoyed (1 Tim. 6:17)
--To all liberally and without reproach (Js. 1:5)
--More grace (Js. 4:6)
--Grace to the humble (1 Pt. 5:5)
--The tree of life to him who overcomes (Rev. 2:7)

In teaching a child to have a good, strong character, wise and thoughtful parents will instill the habit and inclination of expressing gratitude for the gifts others give to him or her.  It is distasteful and crude not to do so.  Yet, how often and how long do we go without expressing gratitude to God for gifts like the above-mentioned things?  Let us learn from God's generosity, appreciate it, and duplicate it.

 

Neal Pollard