Salvation is God's permanent and eternal gift. That's His gift of grace, the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus says, though, that to really have a personal relationship — the blessed relationship — we must take up our cross daily and follow Him. We must understand that in this world we will have trouble. AND that when we give (time, talents and money/resources), that's when God gives back abundantly, pressed down and overflowing. It's a two-way street, this relationship of faith!