Grace and Giving

Now consider the greater context of giving again with Jesus’ own voluntary death as a precursor. Why do we give? Because we are commanded to give as Jesus gave and so by giving become like Him. Giving in light of Jesus’ gift is the natural response; in fact worship, of what God has done for us.
Those who see giving as one of many in a list of to-dos for believers are missing the point. Just like those who think that by giving they are earning favor with God, they are operating out of a paradigm contrary to the gospel. This is the gospel: that in spite of our alienation and struggle against God, He, in His great love, sent His son to rescue us from being alien from Him and adopted us as His children so that those who are His children and even those who are not will know of how wonderful He is. This is the gift of God and the status we receive is permanent. Unchanging even in the light of all the things we can muster to do for God, like giving or fasting or any other discipline.
I believe that when we understand the gospel and recognize that we are giving back to God just what he has already given to us, we can joyfully and freely give expecting God to do wonderful things in concert with His character.