9/03/25 Freely Given

Takeaway: We have received God's grace and salvation as a free gift; we are now called to give it freely to others.

Opening Prayer (Wednesday)

Father, in the middle of this week, I lean on You for strength. When I am weary, be my rest. When I am uncertain, be my guide. Refresh my soul as I draw near to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection

When Jesus sent out His disciples, He gave them a simple but life-changing command: “Freely you have received; freely give.” These words remind us of the very heart of the gospel. Everything we have comes not by our merit or effort, but as a simple gift of grace. We did not earn God’s love, nor could we ever repay it. Grace is, by definition, undeserved. It’s humbling to know such grace because it removes all grounds for boasting. It also frees us to life, because it assures us that God’s love is secure. God’s love is never conditional. The foundation of our faith is this free gift, poured out on the cross of Christ.

But with that gift comes a calling. If we have received God’s grace freely, then we are not meant to hold it tightly as if it were ours alone. We are called to embody the same generosity toward others. This means extending forgiveness when wronged, offering kindness without expecting repayment, and sharing the hope of Christ without hesitation. Freely giving does not mean giving only from an abundance, but also giving even when it costs us something. Just as Jesus poured Himself out for us, so we are invited to pour ourselves out for others. The generosity of God shapes the generosity of His people.

The challenge, of course, is that our natural instinct leans toward self-preservation. We often measure what we will lose if we give too much, whether it is our treasure, our time, or even our love. Yet Jesus points us back to the reality of grace: we give out of what we have first received. We are never emptied in His service, because His supply is endless. The grace that saved us is the same grace that sustains us and equips us to give. To withhold love, forgiveness, or generosity is to forget how much has been lavished upon us.

So the question is am I giving as freely as I have received? Do I extend forgiveness as generously as God forgives me? Do I give of my time, resources, and love without calculating what I’ll gain in return? The command of Jesus is not burdensome, but life-giving. For in giving freely, we step into the joy of God’s own heart. The more we give away what He has entrusted to us, the more we find that His grace fills us up all the more.

Questions

In what areas of life are you tempted to withhold grace, forgiveness, or generosity from others?

How have you experienced God replenishing you after you’ve given freely in the past?

Application

Choose one specific way to practice “freely giving.” It might mean forgiving someone who has hurt you, offering encouragement without expecting recognition, giving of your time to someone in need, or sharing your resources with generosity.

Closing Prayer

Gracious Father, thank You for the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. I confess that at times I hold tightly to what You’ve given me out of fear or self-protection. Teach me to trust in Your endless supply and to give as freely as I have received. May my life reflect Your generosity in forgiveness, kindness, and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Don’t forget to like and leave a comment letting us know that you are reading.