Jesus is Trustworthy with Our Finances
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
Ephesians 4:28 (NLT)
It’s interesting that the verse above doesn’t end with quit stealing. It says to stop stealing and work hard so that you can be generous. Generosity, at its core, isn’t an action. It’s a condition of your heart. For years, I found a million different reasons not to tithe and be generous with my resources, but it was a heart thing, a trust thing. Have you ever noticed that the Bible is full of bad math? Jesus leaves the 99 sheep for the one, and the first shall be the last. None of this makes sense. It’s a trust thing, and it’s a faith thing. The Bible tells us to tithe, which means to give 10% of our resources to God. God says that after we give 10%, the remaining 90% of our resources will go further than 100% of our resources. It’s bad math, but it’s a faith thing. It’s a trust thing. I’ve seen God do this, and I pray you do too!
Generosity is counter-cultural in our consumeristic world. The problem is no amount of more will fill our hearts the way Jesus can. It’s important to note giving doesn’t change your heart. You can give and not love, but I believe it’s impossible to love and not give. Giving shows that God has our heart. It reveals that all the world’s treasures aren’t better than God’s presence.
Take a step of faith and trust God. The Israelites had to take a step of faith before the waters of the Jordan River parted. If you aren’t tithing, take a step towards it by giving. Don’t let a million excuses keep you from trusting God and allowing your faith to deepen through generosity. I challenge you to believe the great truth that it’s impossible to outgive a generous God. He’s generous with His love, His Spirit, His mercy, His power, His Kingdom, His grace, His gifts. Simply put, His generosity spurs ours.
Application: Look at all you’ve been given in Jesus. This allows our hearts to give with the right motives.
Prayer: Ask the Spirit what He wants you to give. Ask Him what a step of faith looks like for you. When He speaks, be obedient and yield. Thank God for His generosity that He’s richly lavished you as a son or daughter of God!
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?