Almost everyone reading this is familiar with John 3:16.
“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.
A wonderful verse you’ve no doubt seen hundreds of references to plastered on poster boards, billboards, and bumper stickers.
But have you ever stopped reading that verse nine words in?
“For God so loved the world that He gave” – period.
A great jewel is found in this: it is love’s nature to give.
Think about it – can you come up with a single example of love that doesn’t involve some sort of giving?
You won’t, because if giving isn’t involved then it isn’t really love.
Our God is a lover and therefore a giver, and consider what God gave …
Besides Creation and life itself, God gave us the greatest gift in the history of the universe – Jesus.
Why?
God lavishes His love upon us because His greatest joy comes from having children who love Him back!
In Matthew 22:36-40, a first-century Jewish teacher asked Jesus:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
To love God back – to give back to God – the greatest commandment in the Bible.
To love others – to give to others – the second.
Who was the perfect example for us? I’ll give you one guess.
To love is to give.
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
The Overflow 