Are You Cheapening the Gift God Gave You?
Grace is one of those words we hear so often in church that it can begin to lose its weight. But what if we’ve misunderstood just how deeply grace saturates our lives?
Philip Yancey, in his book What’s So Amazing About Grace?, opens our eyes to how grace isn’t just a theological concept. It’s threaded through everyday language and life. From the "grace period" on a bill to the extra magazines sent after your subscription ends, grace shows up in surprising places. Even music carries “grace notes”, extra, decorative touches that aren’t necessary for the melody but make it richer, more beautiful.
And maybe that’s the best picture of what God’s grace looks like: the unexpected, undeserved goodness that makes life beautiful.
But here’s where the reflection gets challenging. If our entire lives are built on undeserved gifts; our breath, our relationships, our abilities, why do we find it so hard to live generously?
Grace Is the Source of It All
Everything we have is a result of God’s grace. Every breath we take, every dollar we earn, every bit of laughter and even the tears, we’re surrounded by grace. Nothing we have is truly earned in a spiritual sense. As the Bible says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17).
God is a giver. Grace is His nature. And if we are made in His image and called His children, then we’re meant to reflect that same generosity.
Generosity Isn’t Optional, It’s Foundational
If you're growing in your relationship with Jesus, then generosity shouldn’t be a rare act. It should be a defining trait. You cannot mature in your faith without growing in your giving.
That's not just about finances. It's about time, energy, love, forgiveness, and encouragement. If our hands are tight-fisted, we’re likely holding onto something God never asked us to grip so tightly.
We live in a culture obsessed with rights: Our right to time, our right to money, our right to privacy. But the Christian life isn't built on rights. It’s built on grace. We weren’t owed anything. We’ve received everything.
So, if we’re living like everything we have is earned, we’ve missed the point of grace. Worse, we might be cheapening it.
Grace Is Meant to Flow Through You
God didn’t just give you grace so you could hold onto it. He gave it so it could move through you and bless others. Salvation, purpose, and even our connection to God are gifts that were never meant to end with us.
The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “The life I now live I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
The natural response to receiving that kind of love? Passing it on.
If you're struggling to be generous, whether with your money, your forgiveness, or your time—it might be time to do a heart check. Not to shame yourself, but to ask: Am I still living in awe of the grace I've received?
When Words Fail, Grace Still Speaks
The message lands with Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 9:15: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” That’s Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, saying he can’t even find the words for how good God’s grace is.
He’s just spent several chapters calling believers to live generously, to sow seeds abundantly, to give cheerfully, to meet needs with open hands. And he sums it all up with awe. Because grace isn’t just a concept. It’s personal. It's overwhelming. It’s too wonderful for words.
How to Live in Grace Without Cheapening It
Here are 5 practical ways to reflect God's grace in your daily life:
Give Without Expecting – Whether it’s money, time, or kindness, give even when there’s no return. That’s what grace looks like.
Pause Before You Judge – Remember the grace you’ve been shown when someone messes up.
Forgive Quickly – Forgiveness is the currency of grace.
Celebrate Others’ Wins – Even when you’re struggling, celebrate with them. It keeps your heart generous.
Revisit the Cross Often – Don’t let it fade into the background. It’s the clearest picture of what you’ve been given.
Grace Starts with God, But It Doesn’t End There
When we truly grasp that every breath is a gift, it changes how we live. We stop demanding our due and start giving what we’ve freely received. Generosity isn’t just a good idea, it’s our identity as followers of Christ.
So, are you letting God’s grace stop with you? Or are you letting it do what it was always meant to do: move through you and bless the world?
