I’m thankful that God initially gave freely! Through that example, I am challenged often to remember to love as Christ loved, and give as Christ gave! When God entrusted His Son to come to this earth, to be born to die, He was giving us what we didn’t deserve, but desperately needed—salvation!
To further that thought, we learned how to love Him, because He first loved us! I would encourage you to remember that as you parent. It’s not the easy times that we fail to love; it is the discouraging times that we fail to love. And, if not careful, we may find that we display our love when obedience is evidenced, and withhold it when it is not. Christ didn’t do that; in fact, he kept loving, and “where sin abounded, grace abounded more!” As Christmas is right around the corner, may it be an encouragement to you to thank God for His unspeakable gift, as well as a motivation to love unconditionally as He did!
The apostle Paul made the point that we should remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive (see Acts 20:35).
- Have you thought about how you might intentionally inculcate this principle in your children?
- What things challenge you not to do so?
- Suggest two or three ways you may model Christlikeness in your family with particular regard to giving.
- Join the conversation; I’d love to hear from you!
