“But there is only one way to grow in the grace of giving, and that is by giving more! The biggest blessings involve the greatest sacrifices, and Jesus set the standard. That’s the way we maintain our spiritual momentum and keep Newton’s Cradle swinging.”- Mark Batterson
“Since you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you — see that you also excel in the grace of giving.”- 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV)
In Chapter 12 (“The Giving Game”) of Double Blessing, Mark Batterson talks about the invention of Newton’s Cradle in 1967. Developed by Simon Prebble, the ingenious device demonstrates the conservation of momentum using a series of swinging balls. Furthermore, the cradle illustrates Newton’s three laws of motion.
And, just like laws of nature exist to govern the physical universe, supernatural laws govern the spiritual realm. Hence Exhibit A – the law of measures. The law of measures, found in Matthew 7:2, states that with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Above all, Pastor Batterson stresses, it’s impossible to break the law of measures. Instead, the law either makes you or breaks you. In addition, Mark explains, it’s the key to the double blessing. Mark writes:
” . . . the only way to maintain momentum is to flip the blessing. If we fail to flip the blessing, we hit the point of diminishing returns. Eventually we lose all spiritual momentum and wonder why. I’ll tell you exactly why: God doesn’t bless selfishness. If the blessing stops with you, it’ll eventually stop altogether! Instead of being a conduit for blessing and maintaining forward momentum, we settle for sideways energy.”
So, you only grow in the grace of giving as you give more. In 2013, three researchers tracked a group of employees who received an end of the year bonus. When the researchers measured baseline happiness before and after getting the bonus, they found only one significant producer of happiness. Charitable giving.
Today’s question: How have you grown in the grace of giving? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Leveraging your time, talent, and treasure”
