Acts 4:32-37
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions were his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all, there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
There’s an old story about a young girl who needed a kidney transplant. I don’t know if the story is an actual true-life story – or a kind of parable – but in either case it makes a point. As the story goes, the girl had a big brother – the boy was only about 12 years old – who was a perfect match for her. Doctors were hesitant to take the little boy’s kidney at such a young age, but the situation was desperate. The family agreed to the procedure and the boy was prepped for the surgery. Just before putting him under anesthesia, the doctor gave the boy some final words of encouragement, and the boy responded with a question, “So,” he said, “when do I die?”
Somehow in all the explanations of what it meant to donate one of his kidneys to his little sister, the boy had misunderstood. He thought that in the process of giving his kidney – he would also be giving his life – and he was willing to do so out of love for his sister.
It’s hard not to be touched by the sacrificial generosity of that little boy, whether the story is fictional or real. We are always moved by gifts motivated by genuine love.
And so it is with the generosity of God. Read the famous words of John 3:16 again – this time from the perspective of generosity:
Somehow in all the explanations of what it meant to donate one of his kidneys to his little sister, the boy had misunderstood. He thought that in the process of giving his kidney – he would also be giving his life – and he was willing to do so out of love for his sister.
It’s hard not to be touched by the sacrificial generosity of that little boy, whether the story is fictional or real. We are always moved by gifts motivated by genuine love.
And so it is with the generosity of God. Read the famous words of John 3:16 again – this time from the perspective of generosity:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
I have known this verse probably since I was five years old. But only recently have I noticed the little four letter word that almost goes unnoticed among all the other more “theological” words. I typically focused on words like “God,” “Son,” “believes,” and “eternal life” – and rightfully so. But it is the simple word “gave” that gives this verse such power.
I have known this verse probably since I was five years old. But only recently have I noticed the little four letter word that almost goes unnoticed among all the other more “theological” words. I typically focused on words like “God,” “Son,” “believes,” and “eternal life” – and rightfully so. But it is the simple word “gave” that gives this verse such power.
To give something requires an intentional decision. To give something of value requires both love and a willingness to sacrifice. This verse tells us that in Jesus God gave a gift of intentionality; in Jesus he gave a gift of great love; and in Jesus he gave a gift of ultimate sacrifice. This verse tells us that God is, at his very heart, generous beyond imagining.
I think that’s why – in the midst of the description of the early believer’s sharing and generosity – we read:
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all…
That tells me the fuel of their generosity was the story of Jesus – the great generosity of God!
Ask God to remind you often of his greatest gift and to cause your generosity to grow in response to his!
Pastor Brian Coffey
I think that’s why – in the midst of the description of the early believer’s sharing and generosity – we read:
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all…
That tells me the fuel of their generosity was the story of Jesus – the great generosity of God!
Ask God to remind you often of his greatest gift and to cause your generosity to grow in response to his!
Pastor Brian Coffey
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