Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want. Proverbs 11:24
Have you ever noticed that often people who continuously give are happy? On the other hand, those who are stingy are utterly miserable. To retain what they have, they miss out on the richness that comes from giving. I’m not talking purely about money but about all the gifts that God gives.
Everything we receive from God is free. They come at no cost to us; the breath we draw, the money we have, the food and shelter available to us, family, friends all free. The gift of salvation paid for at great cost for Jesus is free to us. All of this without cost, thanks to God’s grace. Yet often, we act as if what we have is a result of something we did. We worry about what happens if we share what has so generously given to us. We fail to recognize all that we have as God’s grace.
The good news is we need not fear being without, for we serve a God of abundance. What we give freely in love will be returned to us many times over. Share! Share all of our gifts, starting with the love that we find in Jesus Christ. Let the Holy Spirit guide us in our giving, that in everything we do glorify God.
Gracious and loving God of our gifts, we give you thanks. You have promised us that we need not fear for want, for you are our provider. You have asked us to care for the widow, the orphan, and the homeless. You want us to share the good news of your salvation with the world. We want to do this, Lord, but our human nature holds us back. Satan tells us that there is not enough. Please help us to place our trust wholly in you. We ask that you use us and the gifts we bring to further your kingdom here on earth. In your Son, our Savior Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
