Banks have a reputation for taking more than they give. Bank fees and charges seem to be everywhere. However, according to their own advertising, the National Australia Bank (NAB) are different. They offer “more give, less take”. Sounds good, a bank that will give you more (money and service) and take less (money). Whether this claim is true or not is another question.
God makes a similar claim to the NAB; “more give, less take”. At the heart of Christianity is a giving God. In fact, what makes Christianity different from every other “religion/faith system” is that God gives more than he takes. Check out the following.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28)
“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Corinthians 15:56-57)
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2Peter 1:3)
“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?” (Romans 8:32)
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:5)
Convinced?
God is a giving God, giving gracious gifts to people who don’t deserve them. That’s what grace is all about. God has given his Son. Jesus has given his life. And through faith in Jesus we are given eternal life, victory over death, the Holy Spirit, everything we need for life and godliness, and indeed, all things that we need, full stop.
So, no matter what we give back to God, we can know that God has already given much, much, much more. What a great God we serve.
Of course, sometimes we don’t feel this. Sometimes we complain about how much we have to give back to God. Sometimes we wish God would give us a bit more. At these times we need to remind ourselves of the gospel of grace and the God who has generously given us so much; especially His Son.
So remember, GOD: More Give, Less Take.