In Christ, God’s heart is personified. In Christ, God’s grace is embodied. In Christ, God’s desire for closeness with us is incarnate. In Christ, God tore down all that separated us from Him philosophically, practically, and personally in the personification of His heart toward us personified in Christ. 

What do you do with an investment of this magnitude? How do you manage it? How do you value it? 

I think the answer lies first in recognizing it for what it is: a grand initiative by God that is so far beyond our thinking and ability to grasp that we acknowledge our humility and appreciation to Him for including us in His wishes. 

Second, I think we tell Him that we will not presume to manage His heart nor the wealth of His fortune for Him. After all, if He gained it, He probably has a pretty clear idea of what He wants to do with it. Our part is simply to participate in His endeavor because He wants us to share in what He is doing. 

Third, I think we must recognize that the blessing He has bestowed upon us is much, much larger than we are. Therefore, He must intend for us to bless others as He has blessed us. In this way we participate with Him in engagements that are larger than we are and than our lives are. 

We should not shy from discussing our response, our giving, and our duty. Scripture talks frequently about our involvement in what God has going on. 

The trick is this: We do not “do” in order to make God happy with us. We “do” because it is in our new heart to do so!