Last week our discussion centered around the idea of a generous God.  He created us just because he wanted to. We were created to have intimate fellowship with God.  We looked a little further with the help of theologian Miroslav Volf and discussed what our response should be to this generous God.  Volf argues in his book Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace, that we should respond to God's generosity with faith, gratitude, availability and participation (pp42-52).  What do these things look like in your life?  How are they worked out in your families?

For Sunday August 12 we are looking at the idea that God cares for his creation.  The lesson explores the basic idea that God's generosity is expressed in his care for people and their needs.  We could also think about how God cares for his entire creation, not just humans in this line of thinking. 

The lesson explores God as "loving shepherd," "our refuge," "our savior," and "our provider."  Which metaphor resonates best with you?   Do you ever think that God is not a very good provider? 

Volf's thoughts in Free of Charge help us here to explore God as generous provider.  He explains that God is the "first giver" or the non-receiving giver (61). God gives without having received in the first place.  God is also the "infinite" giver (62).  He can give without exhausting his supply. We are certainly not like that at all.  We do not have infinite resources to give even if we wished that we did.  Volf also explains that God is the utterly loving giver.  God gives to others without concern for his own good.  God also gives freely. No outside force compelled God to create, he just did.

How have you experienced God as provider in your life?  What good gifts do you have that you know came from him?  Sometimes we loose sight of God's providential care for us in the difficulties of our lives.  It may be hard to remember his good gifts at times.  All this week I have had a line from a hymn floating around in my thoughts.  The hymn is entitled "Have Faith in God" by B.B. McKinney.  The last line says "Have faith in God tho all else fail about you; Have faith in God he provides for his own . . ."  God is the great provider.  He cares deeply about his all of his creation, you included.