October 21st
“But just as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us–see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 NIV
God calls us to excel in the “grace of giving.” As we are approaching another Christmas season, the idea of giving may be on many people’s minds. Giving isn’t just once a year occasion. It’s an attitude that God wants us to strive for and foster every day. If you haven’t been excelling in the grace of giving, you have an open invitation to start today!
I started getting tuned into giving several years ago. When I first got started, giving generously was easy because I had a high-paying job. God challenged me to continue giving generously after I surrendered my job to enter “full time” ministry. I noticed that the pain level increased at that point because I no longer had the comfortable cushion of the lucrative job. The other problem was that I liked having a good-sized bank balance and I somewhat regarded my earthly wealth as my own instead of God’s. With God’s help I was able to gradually loosen my grip on the finances and sow more into God’s work. It helped me to see my sowing financial “seed” as a way to honor my heavenly Father. I still have a long way to go, but I have made great strides in trusting God instead of the bank account.
Jesus modeled generous giving by setting aside everything he had in heaven to come into the world as a man and suffer unspeakable agony to give us peace with God. It was the greatest gift that ever could be given. Through his gift, we are cleared to receive great spiritual wealth – i.e. that we have fellowship with the Creator himself! Imagine the tremendous resources that would be available in God’s kingdom if every Christian modeled Jesus’ generosity!
Questions for further thought:
What are some of the opportunities you have to give money to God’s kingdom work?
Do you view your bank account as your own, or as God’s?
What is our attitude toward giving used to measure? (2 Corinthians 8:8)
When we give our earthly money to support God’s kingdom work, what is stored up for us? (Matthew 6:19-20)
Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, Thank you for giving us the ultimate example of the grace of giving. Please help me to have your heart about giving. Please show me where you would have me give of the resources you have entrusted to me. Thank you, Lord! Amen.”