His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the first relationship between God and man is the relationship of giving. God is giving by His very nature—He gives without being asked and gives beyond what we request or imagine. From the very beginning, God’s relationship with humanity was not based on His need for man but on His love, generosity, and goodness.

🔸 First: God Gave Man Existence and Dignity

God first gave man the gift of existence, as we say in the Gregorian Liturgy: “You created me when I did not exist.” God did not need man’s worship or praise, for His glory existed before creation. He created man out of love, granting him life and fellowship with Him.

🔸 Second: God’s Gifts in Creation and Nature

Before man was made, God prepared everything for him—the heavens as a roof, the earth as a dwelling, the sun and moon for service, and nature filled with food, beauty, and comfort. As the liturgy says: “You did not leave me in need of any of Your honors.” The whole universe was a divine gift of love.

🔸 Third: The Gift of Image, Mind, and Eternity

God created man in His image and likeness, in righteousness, reason, and freedom. He gave him an immortal soul and an intelligent mind capable of understanding, remembering, and creating. Thus, man became a partner in wisdom and thought.

🔸 Fourth: The Gift of Authority and Blessing

God granted man dominion over creation: “Have dominion over the fish, the birds, and every living thing.” Adam became the priest and governor of creation. God blessed him and said: “Be fruitful and multiply.” Blessing was God’s first spiritual gift before any curse or suffering.

🔸 Fifth: The Gift of Friendship and Sonship

Out of His goodness, God invited man into friendship with Him—as with Abraham, Moses, and Enoch. In the New Testament, this relationship grew into divine sonship, as Christ said: “I no longer call you servants but friends.” Sonship is the highest form of divine giving, a sharing in God’s eternal love.

🔸 Sixth: The Gift of Redemption and Grace

Even after man’s fall, God’s giving did not cease but increased. He gave Himself as a Redeemer, granting the sacraments, repentance, forgiveness, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Through His blood, He restored our lost image and justified us freely by grace.

🔸 Seventh: The Gift of Eternal Glory

God’s giving continues into eternity. He promised us glory, saying: “The glory You have given Me I have given them.” In resurrection, He will raise us in glory as He Himself was raised, completing His infinite generosity.

🔸 Eighth: The Spiritual Call

Pope Shenouda concludes: Giving is God’s nature, and whoever wishes to be like Him must be a giver. True giving flows from love, for we love and give because He first loved and gave to us.

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