Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Alistair Begg
He Gave the Most
Who gave more than God did? No one has given more to secure our salvation that God as He gave his One and only Son so that we might have eternal life (John 3:16). This is the greatest gift ever, and even though it’s priceless, it is absolutely free. You too can give your life, not your physical life, but you can give your life over to serving those who need serving. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13), and that’s just what He did.
He Gives Without Measure
To be more like God we must do what God did and that is to love others before they ever loved us and even those who hate us. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies and do good to them that hate us, so His love is immeasurable and that is what we should strive for. In speaking about Himself, Jesus said, “For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure” (John 3:34), so let us give without measure. If we do, God will pour back His blessings into our hands.
He Gives What We Don’t Deserve
I think a great definition of mercy is what we do deserve we do not get (God’s wrath) and what we don’t deserve, God freely gives (called grace). None of these are merited on our behalf but it’s only because of Jesus. Because God is good, He pours out His blessings upon us, and besides, who among us deserves what God has given us? I came up with the answer and it is big fat zero! Not one of us deserves what we have received from God.
He Blesses the Generous
Even in the Old Testament, God declares “You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake” (Duet 15:10). This command was specifically for the poor as “there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land’” (Deut 15:11).
Conclusion
Alistair Begg, in saying, “Hold material goods and wealth on a flat palm and not in a clenched fist,” is telling us that we ought to be givers like God is a giver. In fact, God gave the most (John 3:16), he gives without measure, He gives what we don’t really deserve, and He blesses those who bless others. Is that you? Is that me?
