Ephesians 1:8: Grace Lavished

If you're going to give, go over the top. Yes, they could get by with X and be happy. But why not go the extra mile and give them X + 1 and let them rejoice exceedingly, abundantly (see Matt. 5:40-42)? This isn't about money or stuff. It is about helping and loving, with everything that entails.

Why are we such stingy givers? Here are three reasons I have found in my own life:

First, we gauge our gift based on the perceived worthiness of the recipient. They don't need it. They will waste it or misuse it. There are others who need it more. Even in church (see James 2:2-4). But God doesn't act that way towards us. "Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?" (Rom. 8:32) I want my love to look more like grace, not like a transaction based on return-on-investment.

Second, we don't get appreciated for our gift. We do the right thing but no one-including God-seems to notice. We resort to subtle reminders to let others and God know what we've done. No need for trumpets  (Matt. 6:2) when the off-hand comment and self-deprecating remark will do the trick. Down that path is resentment and disappointment. Rick Warren commented, "What you get out of service is joy. You don’t get approval. God approves of you, but it’s not because of what you do. He approves of you because of what Christ did for you already. That’s grace."[1] I want my love to look more like grace, not a barter economy.

Third, we need to ration our giving. We might run out. If I give too much here, there won't be enough there. But this isn't a limited grace universe.  Paul comments, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." We live like the impoverished when, in fact, we have access to God's inexhaustible resources of hope and power. I want to give like I am rich in God's grace.

His grace is lavished upon us. Lavish it on others:



[1] Is Legalism Killing Your Ministry, Rick Warren, http://pastors.com/legalism-in-ministry/, retrieved on 26 February 2015