“When I win the lottery, I’ll give some of it to the church.”
“It seems like all the church wants is my money.”
“Better throw $10 in the offering this morning.”
Every had these kind of thoughts? Giving to the Lord through your local church is a primary opportunity to practice giving generously. However, sometimes we find it difficult. Ever thought this before giving?
“I won’t have enough money left for groceries.”
“I just got laid off and need to save up. God will understand.”
“I think $20 a week is more than most people give.”
The LORD has lots to say about giving generously. He wants you to enjoy it. He wants to bless you through it. He wants your generosity to reap an abundant harvest for his kingdom work. Here’s some truths of God to encourage you to give generously:
- Giving generously comes from a heart that loves the LORD, not money.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
- Giving generously is a response to all that God has given to me, not a bill to pay.
1 Chronicles 29:14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
- Giving generously is a first priority, not an offering of leftovers.
2 Chronicles 31:5 As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.
- Giving generously is a planned percentage of income, not just an amount.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- Giving generously is a regular activity, not just a one-time activity.
1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
- Giving generously is an exercise of faith, not an expense of finance.
Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Don’t wait. Don’t doubt. Don’t make excuses. Trust the truths and promises of God. Remember how God has shown his generosity to you. Enjoy giving generously!
Apply: Commit to apply these truths to your giving. Do it first. Set a percentage (work up to at least 10%). Do it regularly. Watch God bless your faith as you do!
Prayer: Lord, drive out all greed and reluctance to give from my heart. Help me trust your promises and give generously to you. Let me experience the joy of giving in response to the great generosity you have shown to me. AMEN.