Becoming a Generous Giver 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8  Our heavenly Father has been generous to us in every way. He formed us in our mother’s womb with tender, loving care and gave us physical life (Ps. 139:13). He created the world in which we live and provided air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, and other essentials. He’s offered these gifts to every generation and has not withheld any because of unrighteousness (Matt. 5:45b).

At salvation, we received additional gifts—the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, adoption into God’s family, and a heavenly home. We did not deserve these, nor could we earn them. They have been freely given to all who believe in Jesus as their personal Savior. Another important gift is the Holy Spirit, who indwells us and provides wisdom, guidance, and comfort.

We’ve been given so much at no cost, yet we struggle to give liberally. Our selfish nature wants to keep what we have.

To overcome selfishness and become a generous giver, remember these truths. We are . . .

• Imitating Jesus when we give sacrificially.
• Honoring our heavenly Father when we obey His commands to give.
• Providing God with opportunities to bless us as we share with others.
• Extending His work through our support of the local church.

Being a generous person requires a heart that loves the Lord above all else, a will that is submitted to Him, and a mind that desires to obey His commands. The Holy Spirit, who helps us have victory over self, will also transform us into someone who finds pleasure in giving. God loves a cheerful giver.

He Shares His Crown

Fellow heirs with Christ.

Romans 8:17

The boundless realms of His Father’s universe belong by right to Christ. As “heir of all things,”¹ He is the sole proprietor of the vast creation of God, and He has admitted us to claim it all as ours, by making us His fellow heirs. The golden streets of paradise, the pearly gates, the river of life, the transcendent bliss, and the unutterable glory are all, by our blessed Lord, made ours for an everlasting possession. All that He has, He shares with His people.

The royal crown He has placed upon the head of His Church, granting her a kingdom, and calling her sons a royal priesthood, a generation of priests and kings. He uncrowned Himself that we might have a coronation of glory; He would not sit upon His own throne until He had procured a place upon it for all who overcome by His blood. Crown the head, and the whole body shares the honor.

Here then is the reward of every Christian conqueror! Christ’s throne, crown, scepter, palace, treasure, robes, heritage are yours. He deems His happiness completed by His people sharing it. “The glory that you have given me I have given to them.”² “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”³

The smiles of His Father are all the sweeter to Him because His people share them. The honors of His kingdom are more pleasing because His people appear with Him in glory. More valuable to Him are His conquests since they have taught His people to overcome. He delights in His throne because on it there is a place for them. He rejoices in His royal robes since they cover His people. He delights all the more in His joy because He calls them to enter into it.

¹Hebrews 1:2
²John 17:22
³John 15:11