Australia’s Largest Christian News Site

Intention

To recognise that God is eternally generous in every aspect of his being, and that his generosity invites us to humble repentance and gratitude for everything in our lives — both the things we welcome and the things we would rather not encounter.

Scripture

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat.’”
– Genesis 2:16

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
– John 10:10

Reflection

Throughout Scripture, God is repeatedly shown to be generous. Not just a little generous, but exceedingly, abundantly generous.

From the beginning of creation, we see that God is not stingy. In Genesis 1:20, God says, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures.” He created fish, birds, plants, and animals in abundance.

When he made mankind, however, he made just Adam and Eve — which might seem a little underwhelming. Yet when he placed them in Eden, God gave them everything in abundance. They could eat from every tree in the garden without restriction (including, it seems, the tree of life). The only exception was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (see Genesis 2:15–17).

This same generosity is expressed repeatedly throughout Scripture.

When Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly”, he reminds us that the generosity of God did not cease at the end of the Old Testament — it continues to this day.

We do not deserve God’s generosity. We cannot earn it, pay for it, or beg for it — nor can we stop it. His generosity, which is also called grace, is extended freely to all who recognise their emptiness without him and turn to him in genuine, heartfelt repentance.

Repentance results in being open to receive “life more abundantly” than we could ever had imagined.

This is the good news. The gospel is an extravagantly generous gift of God.

When I turned back to God after years of ‘wandering in the desert’, I was struck by the thought: “Why didn’t I turn back sooner?” I felt as though I had missed out on so much that God had wanted to show me and give me. Psalm 23:1–3 (“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…”) became my experience.

Then, when my wife passed away, verses 4–6 (“though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”) became a strong and secure foundation beneath me. Even in my grief, I found that his generosity — in revealing himself to me during that time — strengthened me to minister to others who had no hope.

Now, when I share the love and grace of God through the gospel and sense hesitation in the person I am speaking with, I often return to that same thought. I have said something like: “When you do come to faith in God and experience the wonder of receiving forgiveness and the abundance of life he gives, you will wonder why you were so hesitant, and why it took you so long to come to him.”

Have you known and experienced the abundant generosity of God? That is something we, as his people, are called to share with others — so that they too may come to know the God who gives “exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

If you have risen up with “wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31), do not look down on those with broken wings who cannot fly. Instead, lift them up to the God who can generously heal and restore them, so that they will soar alongside you, praising and worshipping our generous Creator.

Video

Prayer

Father, out of your abundant generosity, you long to give good gifts to all people. The greatest gift of all is the salvation that comes through the death and resurrection of our Saviour, who is now enthroned with you in glory. Empower us, your Church, to be generous with all that you have given us, so that the riches of your grace — which are inexhaustible — will be shared with everyone you connect us with.

We pray that, out of gratitude for what you have done for us, we will eagerly share the good news of the transforming work of your Holy Spirit in the lives of all who turn to you in repentance and faith. Amen.

Author Bio

Malcolm was married to Alison for 40 years until she went to be with the Lord in 2024. For 27 years, Mac worked as a mechanical design draftsman/inventor, and is now semi-retired. His passion is to explain how, beginning with the Word of God, the complexity and intricacy of creation demands an infinite and intimate God and confirms his Word.

Prayer Points for Five4Five 2026

1. Five people to trust in Christ and to share the gospel with those five in May. Matthew 28:19–20

2. Repentance, revival and reformation in Australia and for millions to believe in Jesus Christ. Luke 24:47

3. A Church that grows in extravagant love for God and people. 2 Corinthians 5:14–15

We invite you to support this campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to faith in Christ. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for family, faith, freedom, life, and the good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ.

Join us for our nightly Zoom prayer call:

DATES: Every night from Sunday, 12 April to Pentecost Sunday, 24 May

TIME: 8 pm (AEST), 7:30 pm (ACST), 6 pm (WA)

ZOOM URL LINK: zoom.us/j/776881184

ZOOM TUTORIAL: youtube.com/watch?v=pAMDxH_H_Cs

View all Five4Five 2026 devotionals

Daily devotions are brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.

___

Image via Adobe.