God’s Lavish Love for the Grandchildren

Lavish. Extravagant. Do these words come to mind when you think of God?

Where did we get the idea God is chintzy? Stingy? Withholding? 

That lie came from the enemy (Genesis 3).

If ever a big spender existed, it’s God:

• The Promised Land flowed with milk and honey. (Exodus 3:8)
• Jesus turned water into wine—and it was the good stuff. (John 2:1-11)
• “‘And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.’” (Matthew 6:28-29)
• “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” (Ephesians 1:7-8)

God loves us lavishly, but how do we explain that to our grandchildren?

We don’t. 

We show them.

1. Ephesians 3:17-19

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that  you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Rooted and established in love. 

Whether you love to garden or are just pulling weeds in the backyard, you have an opportunity to talk about roots. The right soil makes a big difference to a plant. Like us humans, diet determines health. Fifty percent of a tree’s roots are in the top eighteen inches of soil. Our soil here in central Texas has a lot of clay. We add compost, manure, and even gypsum to help the soil drain and to nourish the dirt.

Not so with God’s soil of love. 

For us, being rooted and grounded in God’s love sets us up for spiritual good health. Not only can we anchor ourselves in God’s love, but Scripture tells us God’s love runs wide, long, high, and deep. Every inch nourishes us. 

But how do we dig our roots into His love? And how do we show our grandkids? 

Faith. Believing what God tells us and acting on it.

When it’s hard.

When we’re scared.

When we’re hurting.

Now’s a great time to share some God-stories. 

2. 1 John 3:1

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 

If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to spoil the grandkids without getting in trouble for it, now’s the time.

When I teach this verse, I start with one lonely scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

Now vanilla ice cream is good, especially Bluebell’s Homemade Vanilla, and I doubt that the grandkids would turn it down.

But it’s not lavish. 

Lavish is God’s kind of love. God’s love is over the top, so go all out here. 

Multiple kinds of ice creams, gelatos, sorbets. 

Toppings like chocolate and caramel. 

Add some fruit: pineapple, strawberries, bananas. 

How about sprinkles? 

And, of course, whipped cream and cherries. Check for food allergies before adding nuts to the mix.

That’s lavish. 

And why does John say God’s love is lavish? Because God calls us His kids. 

Not His helpers.

Not His messengers. 

Family. 

3. John 15:12-17

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

When they were dating their future wives, my boys tended to go overboard when buying gifts. We advised them to start small and work up as the relationship progressed. Frugal to a fault, that’s their dad and me. 

They ignored us and spent freely.

God favors their approach.

God’s love flows with grace and generosity, meeting far more than our basic needs. 

Frugal, it isn’t.

To illustrate this, interview your grandchildren. 

How would your parents treat a hired worker? (someone who mows the lawn, cleans the pool, changes the oil in the car, or cleans the house) Do your parents take them out for ice cream? Buy them new clothes? Fix them dinner?

How do they treat you? Do your parents take you out for ice cream? Buy you new clothes? Fix you dinner?

Why? Because you are their kid. You are in relationship.

God treats His kids differently than His workers too. Don’t live like an orphan. God will never nickel and dime you. Or your grandchildren. You are a beloved son or daughter and so are they. Make sure they know it. 

Challenge them with these questions:

What makes us stingy vs. generous? 

Why do we think God is stingy? Is He? 

How has God loved us lavishly?

Have can we love each other lavishly?

Who will you love lavishly this week? Today?

Check the calendar for your next grandchild encounter. Talk to God about which verses He wants you to share and when to share it. Until then, pray for prepared hearts ready to receive God’s lavish love. 

Let’s pray now. 

Father God, thank You that You are far from stingy. You love us lavishly and You demonstrate that every day. Prepare the hearts of our grandchildren to receive this truth and show us how best to share it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Which of the three verses we covered resonated most with you? I’ve taught 1 John 3:1 often in a church setting and it’s always a winner, but I had a huge God-moment with one grandchild and the concept from John 15. Ask God what He wants to do. You won’t be disappointed.

Next week’s post: Before and After with the Grandchildren.