Week Four Devotion

As I sit and contemplate what generosity looks like in the realm of finances, I sometimes wonder — what constitutes giving enough? There is always something vying for our attention that requires more than just our thoughts. If we give only if/when we feel there will be “enough” left over, is that truly giving to God as He calls us to? I’m not convinced it is. It comes back to belief and trust, surrender, and sacrifice. It comes back to a willingness to allow God access to every area of our lives, knowing that He is good, and that He will always provide.

When one is thankful for something or someone in their lives, we usually acknowledge this gratitude. If I am thankful to have my job, I show gratitude by showing up on time and working as though I am working for the Lord. If I am thankful to God for eternal life and redemption, I think about living a life of gratitude toward God — that is exciting! It probably looks like living the kind of life Jesus modeled: a life fixed and focused on God and His Kingdom. It would look like a life where hope abounds, and generosity flows as a natural consequence.

There is great delight when we give as He calls us to do. I did not understand generosity until I met my husband. Early on in our marriage, he would give donations and I would gasp at the amount! I could not see how we could afford to give that, or any amount away for that matter. Although I had been tithing without a problem, giving beyond that was difficult for me. Coming to a place of trusting God with provisions and resources was a process. God had to break through barriers I did not realize were there. But now, I get to experience the joy of generosity! It is fun to be available to God in this way. He opens doors to bless others I never saw coming! In this, the Kingdom of God is advanced. I don’t know about you, but I want to be a part of whatever He is doing!

A great story on which to meditate is the story of Jesus at the temple, as He sees the poor widow drop in her few coins to the temple treasury (Mark 12:41-44). Many rich men come by and drop in their gold coins, giving out of their riches. They had plenty left over. But this poor widow drops in all she has to live on. In this, Jesus says that she gave “so much more” than the rich men did. In monetary terms, her few coins didn’t equal the amount that the rich men’s gold did. But in all reality, she gave so much more than they.

Let this story teach you what sacrifice looks like. We can trust God. He will provide. We can let go of our resources or whatever else we think we “need.” We don’t have to be anxious or worried. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”