Giving is known as a noble virtue.

Or is it part of our innate nature?

Why do people give away so much of themselves? And other people give away so little?

What is our motivation as humans to give?

It seems that there may be something in us that spurs us on to be givers.

Our kids can be very self centered. And also surprisingly giving.

“Here – you can have the last cookie”

WHAT?

No five year old in their right minds does THAT.

Yet, he does, every now and then…

I’ve just finished reading Giving and Getting in the Kingdom by R. Mark Dillon for the D.Min project.

Here are some thoughts from Dillon that have me thinking about giving:

If our Creator’s very nature is to give, demonstrated and given to the world through Christ, we have both an “explanation and an imperative for giving in the kingdom.”

As a result, within the kingdom, giving away time and resources is a grateful response to God’s indescribable gift in Christ.

1 Peter 4:10 reiterates this virtue, noting that “each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

For anyone, giving back is a human impulse or a noble gesture.

In the kingdom, there is a divine obligation for those who have been recipients of God’s grace in Christ “to give away time, talent and treasure: to the poor, to widows and orphans, to Christ’s Church, and to every conceivable person or program that advances His eternal kingdom.”

Dillon notes that “giving is a privilege granted to citizens of the kingdom when we notice the lavish gift that Christ has given us, we respond with with thankfulness and generosity.”

God in us allows us to be givers.

God in us spurs us on to give. Even when it seems insane. Like giving our little brother the last cookie.

God’s nature explains our growing and innate desire to give.

Oh – and the outcome is JOY! 

Let’s explore that in another blog…

KE