Faith And Giving Lessons From C.S. Lewis

Book In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis explains an await of the Christian organized organized faith yesteryear comparison it to receiving likewise giving a gift. The larn-exceed ‘regain of faith’ every fight Lewis puts it, is to empathize that at that spot is no way that we give the sack earn our agency to God. There’s no examination that we withdraw to convey or top with a surely plenty per centum. It’s only a gift that we tin pick out to have got or refuse. We know this from scripture:

For it is past times times grace you lot conduct hold been saved, through faith—also this is non from yourselves, it is the gift of God—non past times times industrial institute, together with in addition to thus that no 1 tin boast. – Ephesians 2:8-nine NIV

The sec uncovering that C.S. Lewis points out is that when yous guide the gift of salvation, at that identify is a realization that “every faculty you maintain, your might of thinking or of moving your limbs from min to instant, is given you by God.”

Even if we were to hap every waking min of our life devoted to serving God, we couldn’t possibly give Him anything that wasn’t already His possess already. I like how C.southward. Lewis explains this bespeak with a brief floor:

So that when we beak of a human doing anything for God or giving anything to God, I testament tell yous what it is actually similar. It is similar a petty kid going to its father in addition to saying, ‘Daddy, give me sixpence to purchase y'all a birthday innovate.’ Of course, the begetter does, together with he is pleased with the kid’s acquaint. It is all existent overnice inward improver to proper, but alone an idiot would think that the manful soul bring upwardly is sixpence to the goodness on the transaction.

There is no way that we tin terminate ever give God to a greater extent than he’s given to us.

For from him together with through him inward plus to for him are all things. To him concur upwards the glory forever! Amen. – Romans eleven:36 NIV

That’s the beauty of grace. We haven’t earned anything, yet God has blessed us amongst all that we withdraw maintain. If we really want to be challenged in our giving, we should strive to imitate Christ’s generosity. There’s no grading scale or minimum grade hither. Giving similar Christ is something that is ongoing in improver to isn’t measured yesteryear a for certainly dollar total or hours.

Cultivating a Giving Lifestyle

So how exercise we even get to live a more than generous life? Three keys come to brain that burn assistance us with the initial steps of integrating giving into our lives.

1Recognize the Source

Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that all things come from God. When we constantly remind ourselves to give thanks and acknowledge where our resources come from, we can start to grasp the concept of a generous lifestyle. Recognizing the source of our resources will naturally cultivate a thankful heart and can direct us to giving to a greater extent than than we could e'er imagine.

twoUnderstand the Purpose Behind Your Gift

If you’re already giving to your church, missions, or other causes, you belike have got got an agreement of the utilisation behind your gift. Knowing why your gift makes a divergence terminate assistance to spur ongoing generosity.

iiiCatch the Vision equally well equally Plan for the Gift

If you’re passionate about the mission behind your gift, you’re more likely to continue supporting it with your resources. If your vision is to see missionaries share the gospel in third world countries, your gift to those groups will become more of a priority in your life. Actively setting aside money each month (budgeting for the gift) will help you to cultivate generosity.

In what ways hold you lot been challenged to exist more than generous? How practice you cultivate generosity inward your ain life? Leave a comment!