Theme of the Week: New Beginnings
Bible Verse: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19–21 NIV
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:5–10; Matthew 6:19–21; John 3:16; Philippians 4:10–20; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15
As you begin to build spiritual habits into your life, you’re going to be led by the Holy Spirit to follow Him in some new areas of your life. You will take new steps of faith that will stretch you, and help you grow. Learning generosity through giving is one example.
I know the common saying is “give until it hurts” but when you discover the grace of giving, your faith will rise to the challenge and give you a whole new perspective. Giving is no longer something that hurts, instead it becomes something that blesses you. Perhaps this is why the Apostle Paul said, “God loves a cheerful giver”.
Giving is a grace you can grow in, which means God will help you get there. You take a step, then He takes a step. He empowers you to be open-handed instead of close-fisted. By His grace, you start seeing your resources as blessings from God and allow Him a say in how they are spent. This takes faith and is a massive growth step.
The very nature of God is giving. He gives out of love. He gave us Jesus when He sent Him to live and die for us. Jesus spent His life giving, blessing, healing and then He gave His life. To truly be like Jesus, we must learn how to give.
Make it your goal to be a good steward in God’s eyes. Discover what the Scriptures say about money management, tithing, and sowing. You’ll find there is a great deal said, and Jesus said much of it.
Start giving, and don’t give yourself an out anymore. Talk to your pastor about tithing and make a commitment, a starting point. Then watch what God will do next. There’s grace for this.
Prayer: Father, I want to trust you with my finances. Teach me how to be a good steward and live a life that’s not driven by materialism or selfishness. Help me develop the grace of giving and learn to live with an open-hand of blessing. Thank you for the resources you have entrusted to my hands, help me to honor you with them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection: Look at your budget and determine what percentage currently goes to God. What commitment do you personally have to fund the churches and ministries God is using today? If you haven’t developed the habit of giving yet, it will be uncomfortable at first, but stay faithful and you will see God’s grace develop generosity in you.
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