# Love and generosity
*2018-12-10*

> Bill Young reflects on the nature of God's limitless generosity and how we are called to mirror that love through our own actions and gifts.

## Turning tragedy into generosity

I have been volunteering for over six years with the Ariel Anchor Cancer Foundation. I became good friends with the founder, Diane Trevelli, who started the foundation after losing her daughter, Ariel, to cancer when she was only 11 years old. Diane turned that tragedy into a positive by creating this foundation to raise funds and do good work. As we approach the 10th anniversary of the foundation next September, it serves as a reminder that God is generous to us, and we need to be generous in return.

## The nature of true love

Love is a precious word that we ought to use precisely and with meaning, never carelessly or cheaply. True love must be backed up by actions. One primary characteristic of true love is generosity—a generosity that knows no limit. In fact, love and giving are synonymous.

How much does God love us? As Scripture tells us, 'God so loved the world that he gave his only son.' God had no gift more precious to give than His only Son. This gift is not merely a symbolic gesture; it is immeasurable, priceless, and eternally practical. God gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.

## Using our gifts for the Lord

This leads me to ask: what gifts have I received, and how do I use them? Personally, I know I have received many gifts from God—too many to even count or measure. I try to share these gifts with everyone. For me, this podcast is one gift I try to give back to our Lord Jesus. Every time He gives me a sign or something He wants me to say on this program, I hope that through the Holy Spirit, the message remains alive.

## The source of holiness

In the biblical world, holiness describes God's essential otherness from all created beings; therefore, holiness characterizes God alone. Anything on earth that we call holy—the temple, the altar, the vessels, the offerings, the priests, and the people—can only be made holy through direct contact with God. God makes us holy. We certainly do not make ourselves holy. We are sinners, and if it were up to us, we would have no chance at all.

*Because God has shown us limitless generosity by giving us His Son, we are called to use our own gifts to serve others and give back to the Lord.*