Applying Grace

How do you figure out how much to give to the Lord?

Perhaps a different question first, “What does it mean to give to the Lord?” (If the only thing that comes to your mind is the Sunday collection, you may need to rethink your giving.)

The Good Samaritan gave up his time, his energy, his money, and probably some supplies he had on hand. I think we would all agree that the Good Samaritan was using gifts (blessings) from God which he then offered to assist the injured man. In other words, he applied God’s grace that had been shown to him.

Someone might think, "The Good Samaritan is a great example, but it was a parable. What about a real-life example?"

King David wanted to build a permanent dwelling for God that would replace the portable tabernacle. The prophet Nathan assured David that he could do so, but God stopped Nathan and said that David’s son Solomon would be the temple-builder instead of David.

Was David disappointed? No, he was not. King David desired to build a temple for God, but God gave an astounding promise to David:

The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. 

—2 Samuel 7:11

God was not referring to a physical dwelling. He was using the word house figuratively for the descendants of David who would reign over Judah. God spoke of David’s son, Solomon:

He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (v. 13)

David was ecstatic. In fact, shortly after that, David applied that gracious promise. David saw the grace of God presented to him, and he wanted to extend grace to someone in a similar way. It was as if he wanted to have the same experience of joyful giving as God. David said,

Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God? (9:3)

David’s servants found Mephibosheth, the crippled son of his best friend, Jonathan. Mephibosheth was brought to Jerusalem, given the inheritance of King Saul, and given a place at the king’s dinner table as if he was the king’s son.

Did you see the intention of David’s heart? He wanted to “show the kindness of God.” He had received the promises of God, that is God’s kindness, God’s grace. Then, in his heart, he wanted to extend the same grace to someone.

The grace given David was a promise, but one that he would never see fulfilled. Yet, by faith, he accepted the promise as having been fulfilled already, because God keeps His promises.

Are you able to make the same kind of connection between the grace of God and material gifts? Consider Paul’s rhetorical question:

For if we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 

—1 Corinthians 9:11

Applied, we, like David, can extend the grace (kindness) of God through our physical gifts. It may be a gift in the Sunday collection, an act of benevolence involving time, effort and/or money, or a gift to a missionary. It is a gift that you give because of the tremendous grace that you have received from God. Are you applying the grace you have so bountifully received?

Take time to read Ephesians 2:1-10. Look for God’s grace, and how you can apply it today.


Mark Stinnett

December 12, 2021