I’ve been posting about the love of God. In the last few articles, I talked about the Lord breaking the curse, sowing the Word, and His discipline. Today, I’ll move on to another important aspect of His love.
“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.”
John 3:16 NIV
In God’s love we see the greatest example of giving. It’s not just any giving. He gave His very best. This is one of the most amazing aspects of His love.
But as I said, it should be an example to us.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 3:16 NIV
According to the example of Christ, love knows no limits. There’s no holding back.
The world has no concept of this. Think about it. These days prenuptial agreements are very common. We’re basically agreeing that this is mine and that is yours.
The fact is that real love gives up all – there’s no “my” in true love. It reminds me of the parable of the Prodigal Son in Scripture.
In that story, the younger son took his inheritance early and left home. When he spent it all and became destitute, he returned home. At that point, the father welcomed him with open arms and restored him to his full status as a son.
The older brother wasn’t too pleased with this.
But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Luke 15:29-30 NIV
This older brother was upset because he never left the farm. In his mind, he acted like a slave, doing whatever his father asked of him.
Look at the words of the father to this son.
‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.’
Luke 15:31 NIV
This son had no reason to be upset. He had everything he needed. He could have celebrated with his friends any time he wanted to.
It’s the same with us. Why do you feel so upset when things don’t seem to be going your way? Just remember how much the Lord has already given to you. More than that, there’s so much more that He has ahead of you.
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32 NIV
There are some who think that serving God is such a chore. They begrudge doing anything for the Lord. They need to see the love of God in all of its beauty.
We need to meditate on His love as well. The Lord blesses and sows His Word in us. Yes, He disciplines us, but He also gives abundantly to His children.
We need to spend time in the presence of His Holy Spirit so we can walk in this amazing love.
Question: How have you experienced God’s gracious giving?
© 2026 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 