With the new year comes a new theme: “The giving heart: A journey to radical love.” This year we will focus on the importance of giving that leads us to a path of radical love. The more we give–of our time, ourselves, our money and talents–the more God blesses us. To fully understand this principle, we have to move away from transactional Christianity (doing things to get things) and towards transformational generosity. God is not transactional. He doesn’t want to enter into a contract with us. He is, however, transformative. He wants our hearts. He created us in His image and transforms us by His grace.
The origin of our generosity comes directly from God. James says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (James 1:16-18). Giving is directly tied to radical love. God loved the world so much that he gave his only son so that whoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal live (John 3:16).
This year is going to be the best year of giving that we have ever experienced! We cannot outgive God. The more we allow him to transform us, the more we are able to bless others. God is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega. God told the Israelites, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). And God has a plan for us!