Just Like Daddy
When I was a little girl, people used to tell me that I looked just like my Daddy. I would grin proudly because I considered it a great compliment to be like him in any way I could. My Dad was, and is, an admirable man to resemble. He is wise, loving, and godly. And in addition to his many other positive attributes, he is generous to a fault–a true giver of all that he has and all that he is.
My dad’s generous spirit is a reflection of his own father, his Heavenly Father.
Most of us have immense respect for our parents. We strive to be like those who have played such a meaningful role in our lives–those who loved us, took care of us, and taught us: our examples, our most beloved role-models in life.
The Bible tells us that we are made in the image of God, our spiritual Father. We are image-bearers of the God of the universe! That means if we are living our lives according to His will, we resemble Him. As generous as my earthly father is, how exponentially more generous is my Heavenly Father! As Amy Grant sang way back when, I want to have “My Father’s Eyes.” His amazing grace is extravagant and self-sacrificing. He has given us more than our human minds can fathom…He gave everything.
John 3:16 (NLT) says:
For this is how God loved the world: He GAVE his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Besides the ultimate example of the generous grace of Jesus, The Bible provides another excellent example of those whose lives demonstrated a spirit of giving. In 2 Corinthians, Paul shares a wonderful account of generosity in action:
Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. 2 Corinthians8:1-7 (NLT)
Even in the midst of being tested, through trials and tribulation, including extreme poverty–these people were filled with joy! And that joy led to generosity, even sacrificial giving. They “begged for the privilege of giving.” Isn’t their reaction the very opposite of what we would expect from people in their situation? True joy is not affected by circumstances. What an inspiration the church of Macedonia is to us, even now.
The practice of tithing and giving of monetary gifts and offerings is vital, and clearly directed in scripture. But as we all know, giving is not just about money or material things…
As a teacher and a mom, I think about the simple generosity of [some!] young children. They don’t consider what they’ll get in return, or who is watching. They are eager to “help,” to draw a picture or make a card, to give of themselves to assist and encourage those they love. Their gracious nature resembles that of their Father.
At what point in our lives do we become so cynical that we lose that desire to “be a helper,” and experience the joy of giving?
The gifts God has given us are too many to name: peace, love, hope, and joy among countless others. But most importantly, God sacrificed something unimaginable, His only son– through whom we gain freedom and eternal life. It has been said that “we can’t out-give God,” and that is definitely true. But most of us have plenty of room to improve our level of grace and generosity, in giving our money, our time, and ourselves.
Do you look like your [heavenly] Daddy? How wonderful to know that we are all made in His beautiful image. May the resemblance be obvious to everyone we meet.
-Kelly Wilson Mize
My dad’s generous spirit is a reflection of his own father, his Heavenly Father.
Most of us have immense respect for our parents. We strive to be like those who have played such a meaningful role in our lives–those who loved us, took care of us, and taught us: our examples, our most beloved role-models in life.
The Bible tells us that we are made in the image of God, our spiritual Father. We are image-bearers of the God of the universe! That means if we are living our lives according to His will, we resemble Him. As generous as my earthly father is, how exponentially more generous is my Heavenly Father! As Amy Grant sang way back when, I want to have “My Father’s Eyes.” His amazing grace is extravagant and self-sacrificing. He has given us more than our human minds can fathom…He gave everything.
John 3:16 (NLT) says:
For this is how God loved the world: He GAVE his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Besides the ultimate example of the generous grace of Jesus, The Bible provides another excellent example of those whose lives demonstrated a spirit of giving. In 2 Corinthians, Paul shares a wonderful account of generosity in action:
Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.
For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. 2 Corinthians8:1-7 (NLT)
Even in the midst of being tested, through trials and tribulation, including extreme poverty–these people were filled with joy! And that joy led to generosity, even sacrificial giving. They “begged for the privilege of giving.” Isn’t their reaction the very opposite of what we would expect from people in their situation? True joy is not affected by circumstances. What an inspiration the church of Macedonia is to us, even now.
The practice of tithing and giving of monetary gifts and offerings is vital, and clearly directed in scripture. But as we all know, giving is not just about money or material things…
As a teacher and a mom, I think about the simple generosity of [some!] young children. They don’t consider what they’ll get in return, or who is watching. They are eager to “help,” to draw a picture or make a card, to give of themselves to assist and encourage those they love. Their gracious nature resembles that of their Father.
At what point in our lives do we become so cynical that we lose that desire to “be a helper,” and experience the joy of giving?
The gifts God has given us are too many to name: peace, love, hope, and joy among countless others. But most importantly, God sacrificed something unimaginable, His only son– through whom we gain freedom and eternal life. It has been said that “we can’t out-give God,” and that is definitely true. But most of us have plenty of room to improve our level of grace and generosity, in giving our money, our time, and ourselves.
Do you look like your [heavenly] Daddy? How wonderful to know that we are all made in His beautiful image. May the resemblance be obvious to everyone we meet.
-Kelly Wilson Mize
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