Don't Miss the Moment - Part 2

  This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 8th February 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

Don’t Miss the Moment – Part 2

Biblical Principles of Beautiful Giving

Giving is one of the most powerful expressions of faith — yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people wrestle with questions about generosity, especially in times when costs rise and financial pressure increases. Can we truly afford to give? And more importantly, what does God say about giving?

In this message, we explore biblical principles drawn primarily from 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 — passages that offer profound insight into the heart of generosity. Through Scripture, we discover that giving is not merely a financial transaction; it is a spiritual act that reveals transformation within the heart.

A Transformed Heart: The Story of Zacchaeus

The story of Zacchaeus reminds us that genuine encounters with Jesus lead to radical change. When Jesus called Zacchaeus down from the tree and chose to stay at his house, the response was immediate and dramatic. Zacchaeus declared he would give half of his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had wronged fourfold.

Interestingly, his transformation wasn’t marked by religious words or rituals — it was reflected in how he handled his money. Jesus saw this as evidence of true salvation. Generosity became the visible fruit of an inward change.

Beautiful Giving: More Than Practical — It’s Worship

Consider also the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus. To some, it seemed wasteful. But Jesus called it beautiful worship. Her sacrificial act demonstrated love beyond calculation.

This is the foundation of “beautiful giving” — generosity that flows from devotion, not obligation.

Five Biblical Principles of Giving

1. Giving Is an Act of Grace — Not a Command

Paul describes the Macedonian churches as extremely poor, yet abundantly generous. Their giving wasn’t forced; it was empowered by God’s grace.

Without grace, people cling tightly to what they have. But when God transforms the heart, generosity becomes natural. Giving shifts from reluctance to joy.

There are stages in giving:

• Giving reluctantly or not at all.
• Giving according to ability.
• Giving beyond ability — trusting God in faith.

Grace moves us forward through these stages.

2. Giving Is a Spiritual Discipline

Just as believers grow in faith, knowledge, and love, Scripture calls us to grow in generosity.

Jesus Himself modeled sacrificial giving. Though rich in heaven, He became poor for our sake. His example challenges us to ask:

Am I growing in generosity compared to last year?

Giving is not about comparison with others — it’s about personal growth.

3. Giving Follows the Principle of Sowing and Reaping

Paul explains:

“Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously.”

This does not mean giving to manipulate God for gain. Instead, it reflects a spiritual reality: generosity produces blessing — sometimes financially, but often spiritually, relationally, or emotionally.

God is no one’s debtor. When we invest in His kingdom, He works in ways beyond our expectations.

4. Giving Begins in the Heart

Biblical giving is:

• Personal — decided individually before God.
• Prayerful — guided by conviction, not pressure.
• Joyful — given freely, without reluctance.

God loves a cheerful giver because cheerful giving reflects His own character. After all, God gave His greatest treasure — His Son — out of love.

5. God Notices Generosity and Provides for Our Needs

Scripture promises that God supplies seed for the sower and meets the needs of those who give faithfully. Generosity becomes a channel through which others experience God’s provision and offer thanksgiving to Him.

Giving not only meets practical needs but advances the gospel — impacting lives we may never see this side of eternity.

A Shift in Perspective: Storing Treasure in Heaven

We live in a world that encourages accumulating wealth on earth, yet Jesus calls us to store treasures in heaven. While material possessions cannot follow us beyond this life, the impact of our generosity carries eternal significance.

Giving is ultimately about trust — trusting God as our provider and aligning our hearts with His purposes.

Final Reflection

Beautiful giving isn’t about pressure, comparison, or obligation. It is about responding to God’s grace with gratitude.

As we reflect on our own lives, the question isn’t simply “How much should I give?” but rather:

“How is God shaping my heart through generosity?”

When giving becomes worship, generosity transforms from duty into joy — and we begin to experience the freedom and purpose God intended.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Don't Miss the Moment - Part 1

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 1st February 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

Don't Miss the Moment - Part 1

The Power of Timely Giving

Money is one of those topics many of us feel awkward talking about. We’ll happily ask someone where they’re from, but asking about their income? That feels intrusive. Even in churches, conversations around money and giving can feel uncomfortable or overly private.

Yet when we look at Scripture, we discover something surprising: Jesus spoke openly, intentionally, and frequently about money.

In fact, nearly 15% of Jesus’ recorded words deal with wealth, possessions, giving, and greed. Out of His 38 parables, 16 directly address money and stewardship. The Bible actually speaks more about possessions than it does about prayer, heaven, or discipleship. That alone tells us how significant this subject is to God.

Jesus made it clear: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our giving reveals the true temperature of our hearts.

A Moment That Mattered

One of the most powerful stories Jesus used to teach about giving is found in Mark 14 and John 12—the story of the woman with the alabaster jar.

The setting is Bethany, a small village just a few kilometres from Jerusalem, during the Passover week. The city and surrounding villages were overflowing with people who had travelled to celebrate one of the most important Jewish festivals. Jesus was dining in the home of Simon the leper—likely a man who had been healed by Jesus—and, according to John’s account, Lazarus was also present, the man Jesus had raised from the dead.

Imagine the atmosphere: testimonies of healing, restoration, and resurrection filling the room.

Then, in the middle of this meal, a woman enters with an alabaster jar of pure nard—an extremely expensive perfume. Without hesitation, she breaks the jar and pours it all over Jesus.

This perfume was worth 300 denarii, roughly a year’s wages. By today’s standards, this was not a small or casual gift. It was extravagant. Lavish. Costly.

“Why This Waste?”

Not everyone was impressed.

Some of those present—led by Judas—reacted with indignation. “Why was this perfume wasted?” they asked. “It could have been sold and given to the poor.”

But Scripture tells us Judas wasn’t motivated by compassion—he was motivated by greed.

Jesus, however, immediately defended the woman.

“Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me.”

What others called waste, Jesus called beautiful.

He went on to say something extraordinary: “Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Two thousand years later, across cultures and continents, we are still talking about her act of worship—just as Jesus said we would.

More Than Giving—True Worship

This woman didn’t give out of obligation. She didn’t measure out a few drops. She broke the jar.

Her giving was worship—extravagant, sacrificial, and deeply personal.

She also did something prophetic. While the disciples struggled to understand Jesus’ coming death, she seemed to grasp that His time was short. Jesus said she had anointed Him in advance for His burial. She recognized the moment—and she didn’t miss it.

Later, other women would come to Jesus’ tomb with spices to anoint His body, but they arrived too late. The opportunity had passed. Jesus had risen.

Moments matter. Opportunities to give don’t always come again.

Our Alabaster Jar

Each of us has an alabaster jar. God has entrusted us with resources, time, and opportunities. The question is not whether we will give—but how.

Will we offer a token gesture?
Or will we respond with wholehearted worship?

Giving is not about impressing people. It’s about seeking the commendation of Jesus—the One who sees the heart behind the gift.

As a church, we are invited to reflect, pray, and ask:
“Lord, what would You have me give?”

This isn’t about pressure or comparison. It’s about obedience, faith, and worship. When we give generously, we participate in what God is doing—supporting His work, standing with those in need, and advancing His kingdom.

Don’t Miss the Moment

Life is uncertain. Opportunities are fleeting. But moments of worship—when seized in faith—echo into eternity.

May we be people who recognize the moment.
May we be people who break the jar.
And may Jesus look at our giving and say, “That is a beautiful thing.”

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Pictures of the Church - Part 5

 

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on  March 16th 2025 by Navaz. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here.

CHURCH AS A FAMILY – PART 3

Last week, we examined God's heart toward His creation made in His image. His heart always wanted to have an intimate relationship with us. But we saw how sin corrupted God’s perfect creation. Yet God made a covenant with Abraham's family and then with the nation of Israel, who was supposed to be a model to the rest of the world, but the rebellion was so deeply rooted in their hearts.

And then, in the fullness of time, as prophesied in Gen 3, God sent His only son to die for us while we were steeped in our sin. Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father and to make way for an orphaned planet to find sonship through the Cross. We have been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus and brought into His family. God has expectations for each of us. We need to live to please the Lord. The Bible asks us to “find out what pleases Him”. It is not just function but relationship. In God’s family, the master and worker are brothers. The Cross brings down every barrier and diving wall.

We then looked at God’s family. What are some of our features and characteristics? God is our father, Jesus is the head of the family, He is our brother, we are His household, and we are a caring community that seeks to live in harmony and unity.

We ended by asking where you are in the family circle of life: an infant, child, young adult, reproducing parent, or grandparent.

Jesus saved us to reconcile us to the Father. We have been transferred from being orphans into a family, from one kingdom to another. Our salvation has a plan and purpose: to bring those who are not yet saved into the family.

So, after salvation, it is not a time to sit around and sing lovely songs. We are called to co-labour, co-create, and collaborate with Jesus. We have a job to do within the family and then get involved in the family business or mission to seek the lost.

The last time, Colin took us through how we live together as a family: Family intimacy, fellowship, encouraging one another, carrying each other’s burdens, praying for one another, growing spiritually together and serving one another.

This is by no means an exhaustive list.

Each member of the family of God has a role to play. There are no spare tyres or parts

WE LIVE IN UNITY AND PEACE

• Ephesians 4:3 – “Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
• Romans 12:18 – “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

While we celebrate our differences, it also gives us opportunities to rub each other the wrong way. The planners can get frustrated with spontaneity; the extroverts might find the introverts boring. We all must learn to accommodate our differences with grace, understanding, and respect.

However, we need to understand that the Cross has saved us, but sanctification is a lifelong process. We live in the now and not yet. So, we will face imperfections in our lives and those around us. This will give us opportunities to practice unity, forgiveness, and forbearance. etc

For this unity to work, we must work on a few things, such as our character and our relationships.

Two things that Jesus highlighted a few hours before His death are – our love for one another (by this shall all men know that you are my disciples). And our unity (that they may be one even as the Father and I are one).

WE FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER

This love and unity are vital if we are to learn how to handle our differences well and forgive well. People will hurt you, and you must learn to fight off offence (real and imagined). At least 20 passages of scripture address our need to forgive each other.

Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Mark 11:25 - And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Colossians 3:13 - Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Matthew 6:12 - And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

WE CELEBRATE EACH OTHER AND ARE THERE FOR EACH OTHER’S SUCCESS.

Though we carry the same DNA as Christ, we are all uniquely shaped. Each one of us has been fearfully and wonderfully made. We have different gifts, talents, temperaments and personalities. We must honour and celebrate our differences and not try to clone each other.

How do we do this? We encourage one another,

James 4: 2—3   You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have it because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive it because you ask with wrong motives that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

1Cor 3:3 You are still worldly. Since you are jealous and quarrelling, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

WE SHARE AND GIVE GENEROUSLY

• Galatians 5:13 – “Through love serve one another.”
• 1 Peter 4:10 – “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.”
• Acts 2:44-45 – “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.”
• 2 Corinthians 9:7 – “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

At Word of Grace, we circulate everything we can – from furniture to appliances and clothes. There is no shame in this. This is what a family does. So, baby toys, beds, clothes, etc., all make church rounds. In this way, we help the young parents save money.

When someone gets married or is renting a home, we look for what we can bless them with to help with expenses. Whenever we buy new furniture, we give away what we no longer use. We could have sold it, but we chose to give it away.

When there has been a crisis of a major illness, we have often offered to help that family with hospital expenses.

People in the world do not understand this behaviour and so thing that we must have an agenda.

 WE LEAVE A LEGACY

Every good parent plans an inheritance for their children. We leave money and possessions behind for them. And that is required and good. But the best legacy you can give them is a spiritual one.

In the church, our job as brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and grandparents is to multiply ourselves in someone else. Whose life are you investing in? That legacy will live one for generations to come. The Biblical word for that is discipling.

Titus 2: 3-5 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands so that no one will malign the word of God.

V6.Similarly, young men should be encouraged to be self-controlled. ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

2 Tim 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

FAMILY ON A MISSION

God always wanted a family that would work with Him. That is why He created Adam and Eve—to co-work. He made this magnificent creation and then put us in charge. And we know how that went. But then the power and authority that we lost were redeemed and restored to us on the Cross. The Gen command is echoed in Matt 28:18–20—Go make disciples of all nations. It’s a command to multiply and to steward (make disciples and teach them to obey).

Jesus is waiting for His gospel to reach the ends of the Earth, and then the end will come. We have a job to do. We are the only organisation that exists for the benefit of its non-members. Everything we do and learn here is to prepare us for our real vocation, which is outside these four walls—to be salt that flavours society, prevents corruption, and preserves what is good.

We are to be a light to the nations, showing the way and shedding light on injustices.

 Isiah 61 mandate is upon us.

One day, all imperfections will cease. That is the day when we will meet Jesus face to face, and there will be a final restoration of all things. There will be a celebration of the marriage feast of the Lamb where families from every nation, tribe and tongue will gather before the throne of God and will be invited to this great banquet. This is what we live for. So, let us be encouraged with these words. Let us hold on unswervingly to the faith we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Everything will be made new; no more sin, sickness, imperfections, or sorrow. They will all flee away.

We will continue to live in the now until then. We have a small taste here on earth. Now, we see dimly as in a mirror, but one day, we shall see clearly.

Let us continue to love and serve our Lord and His body, His family. Let us do the good works that He has prepared for us because one day, we will have to give an account of how we have lived. Let our lives give Him glory. Amen.

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Giving - Part 3

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on June 25th 2023  by Colin D Cruz. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here.

Giving - Part 3 

Last 2 weeks I shared about how our giving should be:

1. Proportionate - it’s not the amount but the proportion of our income that we give. 

2. Lavish - Mary poured out an alabaster jar full of perfume and Jesus commended that as beautiful. 

“(for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The apostles recognized the call on Peter and Paul but also said to remember the poor. It is heart-wrenching to see the poverty in our country. We live wonderful lives, but the need is great!

As we give towards the kingdom and towards the poor, we are storing our riches in heaven. 

When it comes to giving, there are different kinds of responses. But when we encounter Jesus, our heart is transformed. How do we know if someone’s heart is transformed? What instrument do we use? There is no oximeter to check the transformation in someone’s heart. But Jesus says, where your treasure is, there your heart is also. So if you want to see if your heart is truly in the kingdom, look at your giving. 

“And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What we know about Zacchaeus is that he is not just a tax collector, but a chief tax collector. The tax collectors were notorious in taking money from people with unrighteousness. They were called crooks and cheats. But then he met Jesus and his life changed. How do we know he put his faith in Jesus?

1. He calls his Lord 

2. There was lavish generosity towards the poor 

3. He wants to make restitution and make things right. 

How you handle money is the thermometer of our heart. “And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Firstly, giving is an act of grace. 

There are 3 stages to giving: 

1. Not able/ willing to give 

2. Giving what you’re able to 

3. Giving even more than what we think we are able to. 

• Is your giving costly or comfortable?

• Is it beyond my ability? 

“begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Our giving is a privilege. Everything comes from God. 

“But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The reason for our giving is Jesus himself. Jesus set aside his riches and came down in poverty, in humility. As we give like Jesus, we will also join him in his riches. 

Our giving is like sowing and reaping. As we give, we sow. A farmer knows about sowing. When he gets a crop, he can eat the seed or sow it back. 

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The principle is this - the return is proportional to the seed that is sown. Ask if you’re sowing generously. 

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Not reluctantly. 

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God's promise is to give us grace in every area of our life. 

“He who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:10- ‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This is another promise of God. The blessing of God is not to make a name for ourselves but to produce thanksgiving to God. 

“By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God has blessed us with his great salvation. There are needs all around us. God has said that as we give proportionately and generously, and take hold of his promises, the grace of God comes in. Giving involves faith.

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.