The Lord of the universe is a relentless giver. He gave us life, a planet to live on, family, and friends; and He provides all that we need each and every day. God’s acts of giving are rooted in His love as 1 John 4:8 (NIV) states, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” His ultimate display of love was giving His only Son to die for us so that we may have relationship with Him for eternity.The Lord is an expert builder. He longs to see our character shaped and molded to be more like Him. Colossians 1:28-29 reminds us that becoming “fully mature in Christ” is our ultimate life goal. When we give of our time, talents, and treasures for His eternal purposes, it serves as one of the most tangible ways for this to happen. Consider the widow in Mark chapter 12 that put her offering in the temple treasury. She gave a fraction of a penny; yet Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43-44 NIV). She gave everything to God! Her character had already been transformed so powerfully that her love for God allowed her to respond in this way.