God Is Your Benefactor. WCF 225

Here’s a clear bullet point summary of your post “God, the Great Benefactor”:

  • Theme Verse: Psalm 116:12 – “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?”
  • Spurgeon’s Reflection: God is described as a Benefactor—One who lovingly gives benefits to His children.
  • Definition of Benefactor:
    • A person who gives benefits, often without expectation of return.
    • Root from Latin bene facere (“to do good”).
    • Related words: benediction, blessing.
  • Human Reflection of God’s Nature:
    • As beings made in God’s image, we become benefactors when we give to others through gifts, help, encouragement, or .
    • Everyday life involves both giving and receiving benefits.
  • Personal Childhood Memory: Receiving money gifts from relatives illustrated what it feels like to benefit from a benefactor.
  • Practical Exercise:
    1. Make a list of people you have been a benefactor to in the past year.
    2. Make a list of benefits you have received from others.
    • Helps foster awareness of generosity and gratitude.
  • Examples of Benefactors in the Author’s Life:
    • Parents, teachers, Christian supporters, sponsors in ministry.
    • Countless people helped sustain missionary work.
  • Examples of Author as a Benefactor:
    • Financial giving (tithes and offerings).
    • Offering kind words, encouragement (Isaiah 50:4).
    • Prayer, sharing God’s Word, spiritual gifts, showing Christ’s love.
  • God – The Greatest Benefactor:
    • Forgives sins, renews mercy daily.
    • Provides for physical and spiritual needs.
    • Performs miracles and wonders.
    • Supplies nature’s blessings—rain, sun, seasons, harvests.
    • Gave His Son for eternal life and heavenly inheritance.
    • His blessings are unearned gifts of grace.
  • Our Response:
    • Love, praise, gratitude, and a relationship with Him.
  • Scriptural Support: Multiple verses cited on God’s benefits, mercies, gifts, and human responsibility to respond with thankfulness (e.g., Psalm 103:2, Psalm 68:19, Ephesians 2:8).
  • Closing Call:
    • Do not forget God as our Great Benefactor.
    • Move forward in gratitude and awareness of His blessings.
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