From the CANON on this blog:
Solutions
3.
Christians are called to give.
4.
Family members are called upon to help other members.
5.
Friends are called upon to bear one another’s burdens.
Today’s scripture reading:
Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose
everything.
The generous will prosper; those who refresh
others will themselves be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:24-25
Today’s
devotional:
When I was a child,
I lived with my mother in a single-room home. She made just enough money for
food, clothing, and rent. Most Saturdays, this one boy would come to the door
and ask, “Do y’all have anything to eat?” I’d look in the icebox and see
perhaps a piece of fruit or a few eggs and a little bacon, and not much else.
But my mother always
found some food for that boy.
Generosity is an
attitude of sharing gladly whatever we might have, regardless of wealth.
Scripture reveals liberality is an attribute of God (“The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich
treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to
many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.” Deut. 28:12,
“Now all glory to God, who is
able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more
than we might ask or think.” Eph. 3:20).
And as part of His transformative plan for believers, the Father desires that
we develop a generous spirit.
A bighearted
approach to our time and material goods starts by giving ourselves to God. When
we accept that He owns everything, we can hold our small share with an open
hand. But the choice to nurture generosity is based on our trust. Instead of
adding figures to see what little amount might safely be set aside for charity,
Christians should give sacrificially by faith. Hebrews 13:16
(NIV) tells us, “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with
such sacrifices God is pleased.” The Lord responds by supplying enough to cover
the gift and our own need (“Give,
and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken
together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The
amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Luke 6:38).
Only through giving do we learn that we can never outgive God.
Some believers
choose selfishness and rebellion, but God promised a form of poverty—whether
financial, emotional, or spiritual—to those who do. Instead, make a decision
today to cultivate a generous spirit for the Lord.
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