The 5 Graces of Giving by Rev. Gowi Odera

<p>Here are the five graces of giving</p> <p>1. <u><strong>Grace of the Word of God</strong></u>: vs. 6 “…<strong>whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, whoever sows generously will also reap generously</strong>”. There are other principles that are at work in our world. What goes up must come down; gravity which is a law of nature. What goes around comes around; that is a life principle. <em>Haba na haba, hujaza kibaba</em>; an economic principle. Here, Paul suggests to his readers that Giving is a God principle that plays out throughout scripture. Paul also uses this same principle in Galatians 6:7. We also see it in Prov. 11</p> <p>2. <u><strong>Grace of Freedom</strong></u><u>:</u> vs. 7 “<strong>each one should give what they have decided in their heart to give; not reluctantly or under compulsion</strong>…” In other words, you have already been released from the routine and obligation of giving. Why? God does not need your gifts. <strong>Rom 8:32 “…He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things”?</strong> In other words, we cannot out-give God. So, let us give as an expression that this is not a burden but an expression of the abundance of God’s providential love through Christ Jesus</p> <p>3. <u><strong>Grace of Joy</strong></u><u>: </u>vs.7b “<strong>…God loves a cheerful giver</strong>”. Joy is not a feeling but a state of the heart. It comes from the place of assurance and contentment in God. Tim Keller says that “Joy is not based on your circumstances” (scripture calls us to rejoice in our hardships and sufferings <strong>[Jam. 1:2-3</strong>]). “…what the world calls happiness is getting control of your life so that you keep your circumstances favourable.” In contrast, joy is a state of being, and a result of total peace and assurance in Christ who is all sufficient has all the control and one can rest assured in God.</p> <p>4. <u><strong>Grace of Provisions</strong></u><u>: </u>&nbsp;vs. 8-11 “ <strong>And God