Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
– Proverbs 11:24-25
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
– Acts 20:35
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
– 2 Corinthians 9:7
Devotion
The issues of money and finances are mentioned some 2,300 times throughout the Bible. Many people in our society try to hold on to as much of their wealth as possible, but God blesses those who give freely of their time, talent and treasure. We need to remember that EVERYTHING we have belongs to God. We often lose sight of the fact that it is God who gives us the ability and opportunity to make a living and think we have achieved our success through our own hard work and talent. We gain a right perspective on our possessions when we learn to give back a generous portion to God and to others in need. When we give generously, God often supplies us with more so that we can give more. What do we gain by giving? We are not always rewarded monetarily, (though sometime that happens), but we are rewarded in many other ways: freedom of enslavement from our possessions, the joy of giving (helping others), and the pleasure we give God. In our culture, finances are such an integral part of daily life that we really need to understand how to manage what God has given us, including giving some of it away.
The Big Question
How tightly are you holding on to what God has entrusted to you in the way of finances? Have you experienced the true joy of giving? Do you give of you first fruits or only the leftovers? How are you modeling a lifestyle of generosity for your children or others who look to you for guidance? Ask God to give you a mature view of your finances and to give you a generous spirit as you place your dependence and trust in Him.
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.