Giving in the G-economy

In Me-economy thinking, it’s important that I get more value, utility or satisfaction than the cost of the purchase.

Giving is a poor transaction in Me-economy terms, as I give but get little in return.

The strategy in Me-economy thinking is to minimize your giving and keep as much of your money as you can.

The motivation is very different.

Contrary to the get and keep philosophy of the Me-economy, the motto of the G-economy is give.

Luke 6:38 (The Message) — 38 Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

The underlying philosophy of G-economy is giving — generous, unrestrained abundant giving.

When you give in the G-economy, you don’t lose because you get life back.

You give from your God-given resources, but God gives from His unlimited resources.

Philippians 4:19 (NASB95) — 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

The second contrast between the Me-economy and the G-economy is the attitude of the giver to the gift.

Honoring God should be our motivation for giving, and we honor God by trusting Him and giving Him the first and best of our income.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NASB95) — 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

We are to give with a cheerful, willing and gracious heart.

Willingness is a prerequisite for making a meaningful gift to God.

Exodus 25:1–2 (NASB95) — 1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.

We can give cheerfully because God has promised to bless us and supply our needs if we put Him first.

God offers the freedom of dependence as an alternative to the freedom of independence that the Me-economy says we need.

Giving is an act of trust.

When we recognize God as the Owner of everything, and our role as a manager, we are free to depend on him.

If we accept the freedom of dependence that God offers, then we too can have the same freedom — the freedom of depending on a generous God.

Giving in the G-economy is enriched by the behavior associated with the gift - love, cheerfulness, generosity, and dependence on God.

Proverbs 11:25 (NASB95) — 25 The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.

When we’re G-economy givers, God gives back to us in a way designed to help to fulfill our God-given potential, purpose, and passions.

Our God is a God of abundance

Everything He is, everything He does, everything He gives is influenced by His generous heart - a heart that overflows with love.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NASB95) — 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

God wants us to flourish in every aspect of our lives whether it’s our health, our job, our business, our marriage, and family life, or our finances.

Our stewardship of our God-given abundance must be demonstrated by being “rich towards God” and compassionate to our fellowmen — using “our” abundant blessings to feed the hungry, give drinks to the thirsty, house the homeless and visit the sick or those in prison.

No-anxiety lifestyle

•“I tell you, do not worry” (Matthew 6:25). What greater selling benefit could there be in a world overcome by anxiety and worry?

Guaranteed necessities

• Put God first and “all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Wow, the necessities of life will be provided on top of not having to worry!

Reciprocity

• It’s in my control how much I get blessed. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap” (Luke 6:38). I give but receive back in greater measure.

The abundance effect

• “See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10). God will give you in abundance from His limitless storehouse. Simply amazing!

The proof challenge

• God, the Creator, asks us, the creature, to prove that He is faithful and trustworthy by taking the challenge to give (see Malachi 3:10).

The freedom of dependence

• There is greater freedom in dependence on God than in being independent and reliant on yourself.

Becoming more like God

• Giving is an essential part of God’s character. The more we give with the right attitude, the more we become like God.

When you give in the G-economy, putting God’s gift before your personal needs, you don’t lose, because while you “give away your life”, you get life back - and it’s given back with “bonus and blessing”.

“Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” (Ephesians 5:2, The Message)