Have you ever tried to count the stars?  A recent evening found me sitting outside considering the heavens. How many stars are really up there?  Some astronomers have estimated that the Milky Way contains more than 100 billion stars.  But why are there so many?  What is their purpose?

Those stars are simply a reminder of the generosity of the One who created them. God didn’t just make one or two stars; He made more than we can even count. When Moses asked to see God, to understand Him more, this is how God described Himself:

The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love. . . (Exodus 34:6-7)

The generosity that we see in nature is just a small example of God’s abundant, overflowing grace and mercy that are central to His character. While the stars are amazing, the depth of God’s generosity is most clearly shown in the gift of His Son:

God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son that whoever would believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

God’s overflowing, lovingkindness equips His people to also be generous in our love to those around us. His grace propels us to care for those who have both physical and spiritual needs. Our generosity is a signpost to the character of our generous, gracious, merciful God.

Perhaps the next time you look at the sky, try to count the stars. Then you can rejoice with the psalmist in the generosity that flows from God to and through you!

You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told. (Psalm 40:5)

The article above is reproduced here from my contribution to The Children’s Hunger Fund devotional celebrating CHF’s 35th Anniversary. We are celebrating 35 Years on March 7, 2026 at the Reagan Library if you are interested in joining us!