Giving back involves a certain amount of giving up. Colin Powell

Walking in God’s Favor: But 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 this grace of giving. II Corinthians 8:7 NIV

Among my siblings, our sister Vonseal has modeled the grace of giving. If you have a need and tell Vonseal, she will get it done. Even if you do not mention your need to Vonseal, when God speaks to her heart to meet your need, she will get it done. She is a living example of how God employs gracious givers to become a blessing in the lives of others and to spreadl His incredible love upon the planet.

We can personally say, having Vonseal as a sibling has been an tremendous blessing in our life. She is a tremendous blessing to our family, to her community of faith and the world. She graciously gives of her time, she graciously gives of her talents, and she graciously gives resources to whatever causes she is passionate about. Anyone who knows her, will tell you how God is moving all over her life and pouring His favor upon her each day, each hour and each moment of her life.

Level 4 stewards are gracious givers. They are gracious in giving of their time, they are gracious in sharing of their talents, and they are gracious in giving of their financial resources. We all have people in our lives or know someone with the grace of giving.

Ardella and I can personally acknowledge, whatever we give graciously and cheerfully to God, He multiplies it back to us in so many ways. Jesus said in Luke 6:38 “Give and it will be given to you. A measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap”.

Level 4 stewards are not only gracious givers, they are motivated out of their love for God and for people. The heart of the faithful steward says, “All that I have is Yours, Lord.” When you choose to give out of your love for God, He pours His favor over your life. If you are seeking God’s favor over your life, begin giving graciously from a place of love and joy.

As faithful stewards, you are examples to believers and non-believers in your circle of influence of God’s sustainable love. God loves you so much, He graciously gave up His Son. His Son, Jesus Christ, loves you so much, He graciously gave up His life. What are you willing to graciously give up to make a difference in the lives of others?

Prayer of Blessing: Lord thank you for empowering us with Your grace of giving.

Michael Vance is a senior account executive with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance is a gifted educator and a Master Guide in the Pathfinders Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over 25 years and share their lives with four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.