Be Generous With God
"Elijah said to her, 'Don't be afraid.'" 1 Kings 17:13 NIV
Picture a mother and her child in a severe famine, with just enough food for one last meal. Now picture Elijah saying, "Share with me what you've got. Don't be afraid: God will make sure you've more than enough to see you through." What would you have done? This woman chose to obey God. As a result, she survived her famine and outlived her pallbearers, and Jesus eulogized her in one of His sermons. Basically there are two kind of givers: those who give God their "leftovers," and those who give Him their "firstfruits" (See Proverbs 3:9). The first givers see themselves as responsible for meeting their own needs, so the leftovers go to God's work. But the problem with giving leftovers is that your generosity is tied to your self-sufficiency. And the moment you face financial uncertainty, generosity takes a back seat. On the other hand, those who give God their firstruits understand that He's the source of everything they have. They are motivated to invest in His interests first and their own interests second. They believe in the scriptural principle that what you reap is always greater than what you sow (See 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). Fear will cause you to become irrational and act contrary to what you believe in your heart. Doesn't it make sense to trust God with your finances, since it all belongs to Him? And to trust Him with something that's beyond your control anyway? Think about it: You say you trust God with your eternal destiny, yet you reject His invitation to be your financial partner. Does that make sense? The truth is, you can never out give God, so be generous!
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
Picture a mother and her child in a severe famine, with just enough food for one last meal. Now picture Elijah saying, "Share with me what you've got. Don't be afraid: God will make sure you've more than enough to see you through." What would you have done? This woman chose to obey God. As a result, she survived her famine and outlived her pallbearers, and Jesus eulogized her in one of His sermons. Basically there are two kind of givers: those who give God their "leftovers," and those who give Him their "firstfruits" (See Proverbs 3:9). The first givers see themselves as responsible for meeting their own needs, so the leftovers go to God's work. But the problem with giving leftovers is that your generosity is tied to your self-sufficiency. And the moment you face financial uncertainty, generosity takes a back seat. On the other hand, those who give God their firstruits understand that He's the source of everything they have. They are motivated to invest in His interests first and their own interests second. They believe in the scriptural principle that what you reap is always greater than what you sow (See 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). Fear will cause you to become irrational and act contrary to what you believe in your heart. Doesn't it make sense to trust God with your finances, since it all belongs to Him? And to trust Him with something that's beyond your control anyway? Think about it: You say you trust God with your eternal destiny, yet you reject His invitation to be your financial partner. Does that make sense? The truth is, you can never out give God, so be generous!
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
Recent
Archive
2021
January
A Word For The New Year (1)A Word For The New Year (2)Trust God and Don't Be AfraidKeep PerseveringLet Go, And Let GodA Word For The New Year (3)A Word For The New Year (4)Why Pray?Have You Read Your Bible Today?Learn To WaitWhere Can You Find Peace?Trust God's Saving And Keeping PowerDealing With Fear (1)Dealing With Fear (2)Dealing With Fear (3)Dealing With Fear (4)Dealing With Fear (5)Dealing With Fear (6)Dealing With Fear (7)Are You Successful But Unfulfilled?Choice MorselsYou're Commanded To LoveLive For What Matters!Today God Is With YouThe Assurance Of SalvationHave You Stumbled?You Can Have Peace And ProsperityHow To Walk In God's Blessings (1)How To Walk In God's Blessings (2)You're "Graced" For This Test
2020
October
Facing Death Without Fear (1)Facing Death Without Fear (2)Training Leaders Who Can Train Others (1)Training Leaders Who Can Train Others (2)The Martyr's ContestOld VoicesThink God Picked the Wrong Person?What You Weren't Sent to Do!Love and Enjoy Your ChildrenQuality and QuantitySoul HungerGod is Working in YouGrowth is More Important than GoalsDon't Stagnate!True Understanding Comes From Your BibleGet Rid of ItBelieve That God Has Heard YouLove ListensAre You in a Storm Today?How to Keep Your Peace and JoyHow to Pray EffectivelyGive Your Worries to GodTry Brainstorming (1)Try Brainstorming (2)Be Generous With GodFinding Purpose in Your WorkYou "Must" Love YourselfThe Gift of EncouragmentDon't Spread DiscouragementGo Back to Bethel!When Your Family Doesn't Understand You
November
Obstacles To Answered Prayer (3)Obstacles To Answered Prayer (4)Obstacles To Answered Prayer (5)Obstacles To Answered Prayer (6)We Need Each OtherYou Need Purpose, And PersistenceLearn To Say Yes Or NoThe Protocol For ChurchDon't Obsess Over The FutureAreas Of Success, Areas Of StruggleYou Can Begin Your Life Over AgainKeep Persevering And You'll WinTemptation (1)Temptation (2)You Are Gifted By God (1)You Are Gifted By God (2)You Are Gifted By God (3)Personal Growth (1)Personal Growth (2)Lean On God\'s Presence And His PeopleThink Realistically (1)Think Realistically (2)What's Your Vision?Keep ImprovingInsecurity In LeadershipSet Free To Fulfill Your Destiny
December
By God's Grace You Can OvercomeStrength Through SharingSustaining GraceWe Serve a Generous GodForgive Because You've Been ForgivenTry to Make RestitutionProtect Your MindMake Your Life Count for GodYou're Accepted, Loved, and SecureThe Bible and Your Health (1)The Bible and Your Health (2)The Truth of Creation (1)The Truth of Creation (2)The Truth of Creation (3)The Truth of Creation (4)The Truth of Creation (5)The Mickey Mantle StorySet Healthy Boundaries for YourselfDollars and DiamondsHave You Prayed About It?Forget It and Move OnHold On Until Your Joy ComesKeep Your Conscience ClearAre You Alone This Christmas?Christmas is About - ChristBe FlexibleFocus on the Solution not the ProblemHave You Been Betrayed?
Categories
no categories