The Greatest Gift Inspires our Generosity
Christmas is a time when even non-religious people tend to become more generous. Whether it’s for end-of-year tax write-offs, the warm feeling of helping someone, or simple human kindness, charity is on people’s minds.
For Christians, generosity should be on our minds for a much deeper reason. The Incarnation has been called “the greatest gift given to mankind,” and that’s actually an understatement. Calling the Incarnation a gift is like calling Elon Musk “kinda rich.”
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Many of us have heard this verse, but read it again and think about what it is saying.
All the sin that I have committed compounding for my whole life condemns me to eternal separation from God in hell. But God, being rich in mercy, by grace alone, faith alone, through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection alone, has given a free gift to humanity. A gift of eternal life with Christ Jesus our Lord in the new Heavens and Earth.
This is the entirety of the gospel wrapped in a bow.
Two other familiar passages which try to explain the gospel as this incredible gift:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
How should Christians view generosity?
Many of us think about “giving” in carnal or casual ways:
“Well, I did get that bonus, so I guess I can give a little.”
“I should probably offset my taxes anyway.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve given. Maybe God isn’t happy with me.”
Or on the other side:
“I don’t have much; other people with money will cover it.”
“I’m just a college student; I’ve got nothing to offer.”
1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love because he first loved us.” As Christians we give our time, talent, and treasure sacrificially because Christ has modeled generosity for us in his Incarnation. My six-year-old son Carter was telling us what he thought we should buy for his cousin’s Christmas gift. I told him that the Lego set that he wanted to buy him was a little too expensive. Without skipping a beat Carter said, “Oh that’s ok, I will buy it for him.” Carter now has saved $27 from doing chores around the house and for losing teeth. But he wouldn’t hesitate to spend every dime he has on his cousin’s Christmas gift.
Some of us forget that the Bible tells us to be a cheerful giver and says things like, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:6–7).
“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift”’ (2 Cor 9:15)!
Caleb
Foundational Faith Statement #11: What do the commands of God require?
Personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience; that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves. What God forbids should never be done and what God commands should always be done (Matthew 22:37–40; Galatians 3:10).