The Life You Were Born to Give: Why It's Better to Live than to Receive

Praise for THE LIFE YOU WERE BORN TO GIVE

Experiencing the fullness of life in Christ requires that we are willing to turn our upside-down thinking right-side-up. Thanks to my friend David McKinley, this book will help you discover that fullness of life is more about giving than getting.

Joe Stowell, Teaching Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel

and Former President, Moody Bible Institute

There is only one Mona Lisa, only one Sistine Chapel, only one Halley’s Comet, and only one you. How are you going to use your time, your treasure, and your talent? David McKinley does a wonderful job of guiding readers through the process of learning to give back to the world what God has given to them.

Kerby Anderson. National Director, Probe Ministries

and Host, Point of View radio talk show

If it’s great to get a blessing, it’s so much greater to be a blessing! I recommend this volume without reservation because the author practices what he preaches and works out what he writes on the anvil of personal experience.

O.S. Hawkins, President and CEO,

GuideStone Financial Resources, Southern Baptist Convention

I have known Dr. David McKinley for many years as my teaching pastor, as a good friend, and as a disciplined patient. He has mastered the goal of it being better to give than to receive. If all of us could embrace this concept, what a positive impact it would have on this world!

Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., President and

Chief Executive Officer, The Cooper Aerobics Center

The message David McKinley shares is to love God, love people, and live out. The Life You Were Born to Live is a must-read for any believer striving to live the victorious Christian life.

Dr. Tom Mullins, Senior Pastor, Christ Fellowship Church

and Author, The Confidence Factor

In a world where giving is countercultural, David McKinley skillfully unfolds God’s truth on the power of living our lives beyond ourselves. This book will stimulate you to live and give your life in Jesus name!

Glen J. Kreun, Executive Pastor, Saddleback Church

Discovering that God has created and redeemed us so that we have the capacity to give to Him and to others, David McKinley leads the reader through a practical application of this significant and liberating truth. This book would be a worthy resource for training and discipling new believers in understanding God’s purpose for us in Christ.

Dr. Jerry Rankin President, International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention

With the book of Romans as his backdrop, Dr. David McKinley takes us from the point of our desperate need to a life filled with God’s grace flowing out to others. You will be blessed by reading this book.

Dr. Jerry Vines, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville Florida

and Former President, Southern Baptist Convention

Dr. David McKinley charts an exciting spiritual journey, challenging his reader to live out in its entirety the fullness of life that God has providentially planned for them.

Jerry D. Burden, Executive Director, The Gideons International

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to every student and executive committed to taking their life to the next level. I believe you will soar when you discover the secret of outsourcing your life to your Creator.

Dr. Jay Strack, President, studentleadership.net

David McKinley, has captured the dynamic that defines all true believers in the power of the cross. The book will inform and inspire you to move into the selflessness of walking with Christ.

Dr. David W. Clark, President, Palm Beach Atlantic University

David has given believers a long overdue wake-up call. Be prepared, when you read this, to look in the mirror of God’s Word and be challenged to live a life of giving.

Dr. Mac Brunson, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida

This book calls the church to truly follow Jesus, persuading us from scripture to be the salt and light in a dark and decaying world. Jesus lived the life He was born to give, and so must we.

Bob Schindler, President, Misson ONE

the life

you were

born

to

give

why it’s

better to live

than to receive

David H. McKinley

THE LIFE YOU WERE BORN TO GIVE

© 2006 David H. McKinley

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotation in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published by W Publishing Group, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214.

W Publishing Group books may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Other Scripture quotations are taken from the following sources: The Amplified Bible (AMP), New Testament. Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The Holman Christian Standard Bible® (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. The Message (MSG) by Eugene H. Peterson. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. The New American Standard Bible® (NASB®). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. The Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. The Holy Bible, New Living Translation® (NLT®). Copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved. The New Century Version® (NCV®). Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Testament in Modern English (PHILLIPS). Copyright © 1958, 1959, 1960 by J. B. Phillips and 1947, 1952, 1955, 1957 by The MacMillian Company, New York. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editorial Staff: Debbie Wickwire, acquisitions editor, and Thom Chittom, managing editor Cover Design: Brandnavigation

Interior Design: Casey Hooper, Book & Graphic Design, Nashville, TN

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McKinley, David, 1958–

   The life you were born to give : why it’s better to live than to receive / by David H. McKinley.

      p. cm.

  Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN-10: 0-8499-1202-4 (alk. paper)

ISBN-13: 978-0-8499-1202-3 (alk. paper)

1. Christian life. 2. Generosity. 3. Stewardship, Christian. 4. Bible.

N.T. Romans—Criticism, interpretation, etc. I. Title.

BV4501.3.M36 2006

248.4—dc22

2006024019

Printed in the United States of America

06 07 08 09 10 RRD 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To Thurman and Mary Hall—

people I never met,

who gave me the greatest gift I have received in life:

my wife.

And to Connie Hall McKinley—

my love, my helpmate, and my best friend.

I love you!

contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword by Zig Ziglar

Introduction: Your Life Is a Gift

part 1: a life delivered (romans 1–11)

1. A Global System Failure

2. The Ultimate Injustice

3. Restart for New Life

4. The Firewall of God’s Love

5. Time to Rethink Everything

part 2: a life devoted (romans 12:1–2)

6. A Change of Heart

7. A Change of Mind

8. A Change of Will

part 3: a life distributed (romans 12–16)

9. We Are Gifted to Serve

10. We Are Lifted to Love

11. We Are Shaped by Experiences

12. We Are Called to Influence

13. We Are Entrusted to Invest

14. We Are Tested by Time

15. We Are Liberated to Live Responsibly

16. We Are Strengthened to Encourage

17. We Are Blessed to Be a Blessing

Study Guide

Notes

acknowledgments

It is impossible to write a book titled The Life You Were Born to Give without giving thanks. The essence of this book offers a vantage point of life from a new perspective. As I see it, this book would not be possible if it were not for the following people:

Tracey Drake, my ministry assistant, works overtime to make projects beyond the daily demands of ministry a possibility. Thank you.

Jennifer Stair has been vital and strategic in my writing to date. She is a superb editor, has outstanding ideas, and is patient to work at my pace. Jennifer, your skill and support provide success. And in God’s providence, this is a season of new life for you and Brett. A book and a baby due at the same time—it’s like twins! Congratulations.

I appreciate the inspiration, challenge, enthusiasm, and confidence Debbie Wickwire has expressed in me as an author.

The W Publishing Group, led by David Moberg, along with the positive support of Cathy Lewandowski and so many more, have added value to my life and this work. And I appreciate Rhonda Hogan’s assistance in detailing my endnotes. Thank you all!

Thank you, Jack and Deb Graham, devoted staff team, and wonderful people called Prestonwood. Your love, encouragement, and support have expanded the platform of my ministry beyond the pulpit to the printed page.

Joseph and Lizzi, you make everything your dad does in life matter more. Thank you.

My prayer is again, and always, Let this be unto His glory.

foreword

The Life You Were Born to Give is a remarkable book that offers a new perspective on the concept so many of us were raised on—namely, that we should be go-getters. In this book, Dr. David McKinley shares a concept that is far more realistic, encouraging, and scriptural. It’s that the go-givers are the big winners in life—here and hereafter.

When you observe people who are go-givers, you see joy on their faces and a lilt in their steps. In contrast, go-getters frequently walk around looking like the picture on their driver’s license, acting as if somebody licked all the red off their candy! Go-getters continually strive to achieve more and to accumulate more, but they are often not content with their lives, no matter how much stuff they have.

When you notice the go-givers, you see an entirely different outlook on life. I recently spoke at the Denton State School, a home for people with mental and emotional problems. The most joyful people were the volunteers who encourage, teach, love, and train the residents to take what God has given them and use it for His glory. Smiles were abundant in that place, and it was a joy to be there!

Several years ago, Psychology Today published a study revealing that businesspeople who volunteer to help in the community also do better in the corporate world. These people have discovered that there is joy in serving others because, in most cases, the recipients express appreciation and love to the donors.

As you read The Life You Were Born to Give, you will discover how to be the kind of person who is born to give. You will find insights that will encourage and enable you to enjoy the benefits of the go-giver life. Dr. McKinley’s teaching will open your eyes to the delight of knowing your Lord and Savior, as well as the earthly benefits of knowing your heavenly Father. And since I know Dr. McKinley well, having sat under his preaching and teaching for several years, I can testify that he is a man who lives his life to give.

This is a great book, a teaching book, and an encouraging book. It is filled with powerful truths that will inspire you. For that reason, I encourage you to keep a notebook handy as you read. Make notes on what you learn, as well as the incidents that come your way as a direct result of applying what you have learned. Read this book, reflect on it, and then read it again. Use it, and your gratitude bucket will be in overflow position for sure. After all, gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions—the more you express gratitude for what you have, the more you will have to express gratitude for. Conversely, the more you complain about your problems, the more problems you will have to complain about!

Following the path Dr. McKinley so beautifully describes in this book will enable you, when you get to the goal line of life and look into the end zone, to see the positive impact you have made on your children, grandchildren, and countless friends whose lives you have enriched by applying The Life You Were Born to Give. And in the words of the old gospel song, When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!

—ZIG ZIGLAR

Author/Motivational Teacher, Dallas, Texas

introduction

your life is a gift

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus,

that He said, "It is more blessed

to give than to receive."

—ACTS 20:35

Everything we have, we have been given.

Take a moment to consider how your life is connected to other people. Have you consciously reflected on the gifts of time and talent others have given you? As you do, you’ll soon realize there are many thank-you notes etched in your heart that are filled with expressions of gratitude for those who have made a difference in you.

Perhaps you had parents who believed in you and sacrificed for your well-being or success. Maybe a teacher encouraged you and inspired you to use your talents for something great. Or it might have been a coach, mentor, colleague, or friend who challenged you and took the time to help you become the person you are today. And then there are pastors, missionaries, Bible study teachers, and authors who helped you see the light and truth by which you now live.

Yet beyond all these supporters who have invested in you, there is a God who made you for Himself. A God who has a purpose for you.

Think about it: your ability to read these words right now is a gift from God. In fact, your very existence is the incredible gift of God, who formed you and gave you life.

Your life is a gift!

I love the words of the Psalmist, who said,

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out

before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God!

They are innumerable! (Ps. 139:13–17 NLT)

Our lives were planned for and provided by God. It is by God’s providence and provision that we are born to live.

But that’s not all. The same God who gave us life is the One who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to deliver us from condemnation and self-destruction so that we may experience life to the fullest. And this is good news! The God who has given us life now offers us new life—a spiritual transformation according to His purpose and plan.

Life—yours and mine—is a gift from God. What we do with our lives is, in many ways, our gift to Him and to the people we touch by His grace.

The new nature in Christ involves a new focus of accountability and service. Our lives were not formed for the mere intake of existence. No! To the contrary, we have life—new life in Christ—so that we may understand and discover what it is to outsource ourselves for God’s glory.

Your life is not your

own; it is God’s.

It is now, because of God’s grace, that we are born to give.

Your life is not your own; it is God’s. He made us to live to give, not live to get. God intends for us to become catalysts for distribution, not containers for consolidation.

When this truth takes root in your mind, it changes your perspective. Taking hold of the reality that you were born to give your life to God fuels every day with a passion for stewardship and service. You begin to understand