A Generous God

Posted by Karah

In his 1843 novel, A Christmas Carol, writer Charles Dickens created the literary character Ebenezer Scrooge. He was a stingy, greedy, cold-hearted, rich man who hated Christmas and everything that brought others happiness. He had tons of money, but was unwilling to share it or any kindness with anyone else. The character quickly became well-known throughout the world. Today, the term “Scrooge” has even come to mean a complaining, stingy miser.

Many people see God as a lot like Ebenezer Scrooge, in control of so many good things, yet unwilling to share them with humanity, despite our great need. Scripture, however, tells quite a different story.

Read Matthew 7:7-12 in your Bible.

• What characteristic of God do you see in these verses? Explain your answer.
• What are believers encouraged to do in this passage?
• Does this passage mean that if you ask God for something, you’re guaranteed to get what you want? Why or why not?
• Read verse 12 again carefully. Where have you heard this statement before? What do you think it means? What would it look like to practice that in real life?

The Point

God is generous. That is His very character. He has shown His generosity to us by making a way to save us from our sin and inviting us into eternal life with Him. His generosity is all around us: He guides and directs our steps; He does not turn His back on us; He never stops pursuing us despite our sinfulness.

Take Action

Evaluate your life. How generous are you? With your money? Your time? Your opinions about people? Take some time to think it over. Then, list three ways you’ll allow God be generous to others because God has been generous to you.

Behind the Story

This passage does not imply that we will get whatever we ask God for if we’re persistent about it. The passage assumes that the person asking, seeking, and knocking is seeking God’s will above all else. The word “it” in verse 7 doesn’t refer to a particular item or thing the person requested; instead, it means that God will give you what He deems best.

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions