The God Who Gives

Opening Scripture

John 3:16–17 NIV

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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

In the Greek-Roman World, “love” was often transactional or based on the worthiness of the object.

The Greek word used here is “agapao”. This isn’t a love of “fondness,” but a love of choice and will.

God’s generosity is directed at the “world” not one group or tribe of people…

For a first-century listener, the idea that God would be generous toward a world that actively rejected Him was scandalous. It suggests a generosity that is unilateral—it doesn't wait for a "thank you" or a "sorry" before the gift is given.

To the original Jewish audience, this language immediately triggered the memory of Genesis 22, where Abraham is asked to offer up Isaac.

God wasn't giving out of His "excess"; He was giving the very Heart of His existence.

God gave to us Something that was so precious to Him, His one and only begotten Son so that we could be made right to Him.

If God has been so generous towards us why would we NOT want to pay that forward?

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Ephesians 2:8 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Grace is simply God’s undeserved favor — Not one person was deserving of Jesus and the price that He paid on the cross but yet God out of His love showed us mercy through offering the gift of grace.

True grace can only originate with God — Man is naturally flawed.

God sets the example for man — Man could never set the example for God.

Once we have been exposed to true Grace (God’s grace) we are to pay it forward and reflect it to others that they may come into a personal relationship with the Father through Jesus the Son.

Grace sets the foundation for salvation

Grace builds upon the foundation of salvation with a personalized relationship

Grace maintains the relationship through repentance.

God Will Provide

Matthew 7:9–11 NIV

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Jesus isn't necessarily calling the audience "villains.

Jesus is making a stark ontological point: compared to the absolute holiness and generosity of God, even the best human heart is tainted by self-interest and "bent" by sin.

God who is so generous will give us gifts that will sustain us, not things that will fulfill the desires of the flesh

Often times we complain about what we don’t have instead of evaluating what we do have…

You don’t need a steak to live — you can simply survive off of other proteins and grain that will sustain your body and health

You don’t need a luxurious car — you can simply get by in a car that is up and running

God will always come through for us when we need Him the most!!

You Have All That You Need

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

God has blessed us by filling us with:

His Favor

His Grace

His Spirit

His Presence

By God blessing us He has equipped us

Because we are equipped we have all that we need to succeed on the mission field

The mission is to serve others by reflecting the love and character of Jesus.

The call is to make disciple for Jesus!

You can never succeed if you are to focused on what you want vs what you actually need

When we have God — We have all that we ever need!

Your Next Steps

Audit Your “Ask”: Identify one thing you’ve been frustrated with God about not providing. Ask yourself: "Is this a 'stone' I'm mistaking for bread, or a 'want' I'm mistaking for a 'need'?"

Practice "Unilateral Generosity": Identify someone in your life who has not earned your kindness—perhaps a difficult neighbor, a frustrating coworker, or an ungrateful relative. Perform one "scandalous" act of generosity toward them this week with zero expectation of acknowledgment.

Inventory Your "Equipping": Create a "Mission Inventory." List three things God has already given you (e.g., a home, a specific skill, a testimony of overcoming a struggle). Then, identify one way you can use one of those "blessings" to serve a specific person this week.

Pay Forward The Grace: Practice "Relational Grace." The next time someone "cuts you off" (literally in traffic or figuratively in conversation), consciously choose to release the "debt" of your anger immediately. Remind yourself: "I have been given a surplus of grace; I can afford to give some away here."