Theme of the Week: The Goodness of Generosity
Bible Verse: “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” Luke 16:11
Scripture Reading: Luke 16:1-15
Satan steals, kills, and destroys. Lies are his favorite tool. One of his worst is that generosity is primarily financial. By convincing us it’s all about money, Satan keeps us burying most of our treasure in the ground, and we miss out on the “real riches.”
The famous, troubling parable of Luke 16 concludes with Jesus saying that managing wealth well is like training wheels for the ‘real riches’ in God’s Kingdom. Did you catch that? Money isn’t as important as we think. However, if we do not learn to use it well, we cannot graduate into the bigger things of God’s kingdom. Let that percolate for a moment.
Jesus is calling us to a life of love. A loving life is always a generous life. A generous life is about using all God has given you to love others, not just your wealth.
I’ve met many Christians with detailed, thoughtful plans for giving money away. I’ve rarely met one with a clear plan for using the rest of their assets. When you look at Jesus, you see Him being generous with his time, power, talent, listening, knowledge, suffering, words, and prayers. He is always using what He has to seek the good of others and the glory of God. He demonstrates and shares the gospel of God’s kingdom with any who will listen. Jesus’ life is generous, and most of His generosity isn’t financial.
The Christians I respect most give more than their money. They know how to be present with others and generously listen or share their insight. They host, they risk, and they make phone calls to encourage. They can be caught on their knees crying out for the needs of others in the wee hours of the morning. They freely and deliberately share their network, insight, and talents for the good of others and the glory of God.
My point is simple: you’re richer than you think. The evil one would keep you using money poorly and ignoring all your other resources. The good life with Jesus is about learning to put all we have at God’s disposal. I pray you come to know the joy of being generous with more than your money!
Prayer: Lord, show me what I have to love others with and prepare me to do so. Open my eyes to the good deeds You have prepared for me today. Amen.
Reflection: Consider how you can be generous with a non-financial asset today. How can you love others with your knowledge, network, time, attention, words, etc. Don’t just think about this, but take a step. For example, you might pull out your phone now and send a text or email encouraging someone – be generous with your words and attention.
Copyright © 2023 Impactus | Promise Keepers Canada. All rights reserved.
About
