John Avanzini - God, The Ultimate Giver

The Gift of Salvation

If we are to become proper givers, we must pattern our giving after the ultimate giver, God. Our Heavenly Father freely gave us the greatest of all gifts, salvation.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8 ,9

God gives us salvation, through faith, as a free gift. No one can earn salvation through good works; it is a miraculous gift from God.

When God gave His Son to this earth, Jesus was a free gift. God sent Him to provide us with salvation and eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:16 ,17

The only thing anyone can do to receive God's free gift of salvation is to simply tell the Lord, "I accept Jesus into my heart as the Lord and Savior of my life."

Do you see the gift of salvation is totally free? Always remember this truth. There is absolutely nothing anyone can do in his own power to earn eternal life. It is a gift from God.

The Gift of Faith

We know God freely saves us.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:8

Salvation comes as a gift through faith. However, even the faith to receive salvation is a free gift.

... God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Romans 12:3

Faith is a critical part of our walk with God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

Do you know where you get faith?

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

God freely gave us eternal salvation. Then, so that we can please Him and defeat the enemy, He freely gave us faith.

Faith is vital if we are to break out of the bonds of insufficiency in which so many Christians languish today. God-given faith is a key to financial freedom. It is a major ingredient in attaining the inheritance God has provided for us. The writer of Hebrews exhorts us,

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:12

The promises of God for abundant supply are greatly dependent upon faith. Guard your faith. Feed your faith (Romans 10:17). Thank God for it, and give it plenty of exercise. As you give into the gospel, believe in faith that you will receive more and more, so you can give away more and more fruit from your harvest.

For God, who gives seed to the farmer to plant, and later on, good crops to harvest and eat, will give you more and more seed to plant and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more fruit from your harvest.

Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much....

2 Corinthians 9:10 ,11 TLB

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

God has promised that when the Holy

Spirit enters your life, several marvelous things will happen.

1. God will bestow upon you the fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22 ,23

2. You will receive power to be a witness.

... ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:8

3. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the wonderful prayer language He gives you, you will be able to build up the faith God has given you.

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.

Jude 20

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17), so you must study God's Word. Then use your prayer language to build up your faith.

4. The Holy Spirit will help you pray in accordance with God's will.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26

Now here's the true miracle of the Holy Spirit: God freely gives us His Holy Spirit. We just have to ask.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Luke 11:13

Are you beginning to grasp what a grand giver God is? He freely gives us all the things we need to live well in this life, and also in eternity.

If you are a child of God, you should show His personality to the world. God is the greatest of all givers, and you can be like Him, a great giver.

The Father Gives Freely and Joyfully

Our great Heavenly Father is continually giving to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

2 Peter 1:3

Many things pertain unto life. Just think of all the things life encompasses. Gasoline for our cars is something pertaining to life. Even though the price of gasoline may go up, God knows we need fuel, and the Bible guarantees God will supply all things that pertain unto life.

Life also includes groceries, clothes, housing, jobs . No matter how high the prices may go, our God promises to supply everything we need.

By now, this simple truth must be sinking into your spirit. God wants to bless us so wonderfully, so completely, so powerfully, because He wants us to become great givers like He is. God wants us to receive abundantly so that we can give abundantly.

God wants to position us for the greater blessing, for He said it is more blessed to give than to receive. As you learn to give in your everyday life, you are unleashing the process that will make you more like God. He is the greatest giver, and He wants you to become like Him.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment : because as he is, so are we in this world.

1 John 4:17

God sees us as He is. Can you lay hold of that thought and grasp its eternal significance? God sees us as He is in this world. Isn't it wonderful to know that through your giving, your prosperity will grow so that you will be able to bless all men you meet? You are on the threshold of moving beyond receiving the blessing into actually becoming a blessing.

Jesus Is a Great Giver

When God's Son, Jesus, took on the whole nature and personality of His Heavenly Father, He became a great giver. Hear what the Word says about Jesus.

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Ephesians 4:8

Aren't you glad these precious words are recorded in the Word of God? They reveal so clearly why Jesus came personally to this earth. Hear Him as He speaks to those who heard His words many years ago.

... I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it [new life] more abundantly.

John 10:10

He said , ... I am come that they might have Jesus did not come to earth to make us give up good things and lead a life of sorrow, poverty and depression. If you read the words of the Bible, you will find that His true intention was not to remove us from the world and its goods, but actually to have us take over this world and its goods.