By Barry Buzza

I’M INSPIRED by the generosity of Warren Buffet (age 76), who has expressed his intentions of giving away some $37 billion before he dies.

Buffet – the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, who has been recognized as the world’s richest person – went through a change in his thinking recently, which spurred the giving of history’s most generous monetary gift.

For decades, he has said the hand-off would take place after his death; but he has now revised his time-table. The money will go to improve world health and the American education system.

It’s interesting to me, that as Warren Buffet gives billions away each year, he will continue to receive more than he gives. His wealth will continue to increase, as he donates his $37 billion.

There’s a life principle at work when we give. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” That promise does not necessarily guarantee that if I give away a thousand dollars, I can look in the mail for $1,200 the next day. There are financial returns which flow from generosity, but the ‘more blessed’ principle runs deeper than cash flow.

Here’s how it works. The raw truth is that everything we have has its source in God. Whether we are talking natural resources, such as the air we breathe, water and food; or wealth that we earn, it all flows from the grace of God.

One may argue: “No way, I earned my money because I’m smart and I work hard!” But the fact is, your intelligence and strength are both gifts of God. All of our natural abilities and learned skills come from the grace of our Creator.

Continue article >>

Receiving those generous gifts and their produce from God is wonderful. There is truly joy that can flow from receiving the benefits of God’s grace;  but why, then, is there more blessing which comes to the giver than to the receiver?

Think of the hose that we use to water our garden. The water flowing from our taps is like the gifts of grace that pour out from the hand of our Creator.

If the hose were to retain the water because the nozzle was screwed up tightly, it would eventually weaken, leak or even burst. But if the water were allowed to spray out onto the flowers of your garden, life would be perpetuated.

For the hose to fulfill its purpose, it simply has to be a conduit of water; the water comes in, fills the hose and water flows out. Everyone wins. But if there’s a blockage in the flow of water, the process is aborted.

So it is with us. Grace (favour) flows into every one of us from our Creator. We each have gifts, talents, skills and intelligence. Our fulfillment will not come by simply receiving those grace gifts; rather it will come as we distribute them in our circles of influence.

Whether it’s giving a few billion dollars, like Warren Buffet does, a helping hand or a smile, the flow of life will only be released and reproduced as it passes through our words and actions. It’s the way the cycle of life was intended by the One who gives life.

Barry Buzza is lead pastor of Northside Church, with two campuses in the Tri-Cities, and president of the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada. barrybuzza.com

May 2008