There’s no way we can repay God for his good gifts in our lives … so pay it forward!

“He (God) comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before

you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through

hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.”

II Corinthians 1:3-5 The Message

It’s called ‘paying it forward’ and it describes someone receiving a gift from a benefactor and then, instead of repaying the giver, turns around and passes a similar gift forward to someone else needing it.

It’s spiritual ‘hand-me-down’ mentality.

Someone blesses me with a $50 Starbucks card and I tell the barista at the window to put the next person’s tab on my card. We hear delightful stories of this process being played out in the news and social media sites.

Back before Israel became a nation, God told Abraham “I will bless you … and you will be a blessing to others.” Genesis 12:2 NLT We bless others by utilizing the gifts and resources God has placed in our lives. Scripture says all our gifts originate in God. He has made us recipients of the Gospel and given us his love … extended his mercy and forgiven our sins. We really have no excuse for not loving, extending mercy and being willing to forgive others.

Even at our lowest and most desperate circumstances we still possess gifts that would be of great value to someone else. It’s the way God’s culture is to operate and we have the incredible honor of passing gifts along.

As we enter a new year, let’s be aware of people around us. Someone could use the extra $20 bill you have in your wallet … more than you could. Someone’s heart is aching for a smile from your face to his or hers. There’s a burdened back that could find relief from your hand on their shoulder. Give freely … it’s the way God treated you!

“Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace,

so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way.

He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do … This generous

God who supplies abundant seed for the farmer, which becomes bread for our meals,

is even more extravagant toward you. First he supplies every need, plus more. Then

he multiplies the seed as you sow it, so that the harvest of your generosity will grow.

You will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion …”

2 Corinthians 9:8-11 (TPT)