Giving is a God-like activity. He is the great giver, everything comes from Him (1 Chronicles 29:12). When we give in His Name, we express that part of His nature. People, with eyes to see, will recognise that God is at work as we give, and they will praise Him. God's people who receive much needed support will thank Him, and will want to be generous themselves because of the good example they have been set.

As we serve others in the Lord's family, they see that we have been obedient to His call to share the resources with which He has entrusted us. They also see that we are gospel people: telling good news and being good news go together. The gospel is all about God's loving gift of salvation that cost Jesus His life. Our costly gifts cannot save anyone from their sins, but they demonstrate our gratitude for being saved at such great cost (1 Peter 1:18).

Freewill generous giving also encourages God's people to pray for those who have given. As they see God's grace at work in selfless love, the bond of fellowship should be strengthened to become a reason for prayer. Many acts of kindness cannot be repaid but we can pray that the Lord will give more grace to those who have given, and that all their needs will be supplied. We can never quantify God's grace in sending Jesus to be our Saviour, but we know it is inexhaustible. So too is His provision so that we can share with others. Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap." (Luke 6:38)

Although it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35), there is a blessed responsibility in receiving – praise and prayer. People who take without being thankful have misunderstood God's grace (Luke 17:11-19). God's gifts are the product of His love and are designed to stimulate increasing depths of relationship with Him (Matthew 23:37). We may be glad that He has given us so much, but are we thankful? Does our heart overflow with praise? Do God's gifts stimulate our prayer for others? It may be helpful to challenge our hearts with these questions lest we become selfish, grasping for what we want, without growing in relationship with our Lord and His family.