Today’s devotion is based off of week 3 of Unlikely Heroes: A Widow (WATCH HERE)
So how do I get better?
Generosity is something the Lord desires we grow in.
“see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
As we end the week, here are a few practical tips to work at to grow in your heart and ability to give.
- To grow in the heart of giving, grow in your love for what God has given to you.
The Apostle John said, “We love because he first loved us.” Every aspect of the Christian life is driven and motivated by the love God has shown to us. John also recorded Jesus’ words to Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” (John 3:16). God’s generosity to you is immense and is THE reason we can be generous with the wealth he has given to you.
- Prayerfully plan your giving.
To often giving is an after thought. Perhaps you think of it on a Sunday morning in church and give spontaneously what you have in your wallet or purse or quickly write a check or give an online gift. The better approach is to consider the income God is giving you every week or month (or distributions, dividends, bonuses, etc.). Take time to thank him for giving it to you. Then set aside a percentage (make 10% your minimum goal) and give it regularly (weekly or monthly) through an offering at church or through online giving. Remember, God is giving you income even the weeks you don’t make it to church! Here’s the encouragement from Paul to the Corinthians 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 his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
- Get better at managing your finances.
Excelling in the grace of giving also means getting better at managing the day to day expenses and income in your household. Maybe you didn’t learn good financial habits and planning in your early years. Maybe you are used to impulsively buying and wondering where all the money went. Maybe you have large debt on student loans, credit cards, car loans, boat/toy loans and mortgage. Maybe you’ve resigned yourself to living in debt and paycheck to paycheck. Excelling in giving will become easier if you learn to get on a budget, defer gratification, live within your means and get out of debt. The best tool I am aware of is the “Baby Steps” from Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. (CLICK HERE) (We will be offering this course at Crosspoint in May & June 2025!)
Giving is what Christians do. It’s what the love of Christ motivates us to do. It doesn’t come naturally, but it does come when we resolve with the Spirit’s help to excel in the grace of giving!
2 Corinthians 8:7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Apply: What is one step you can take today to better excel in the grace of giving?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love, grace and forgiveness. Help me today and every day to not just grow in faith, speech, knowledge and earnestness, but also in the grace of giving. AMEN.
PS: As the LORD moves you, you may want to give a gift to the Crosspoint ministry that enables these devotions to be sent out every week. If so, please click on this link and simply indicate a gift to our general ministry fund which provides the financial resources that make these devotions possible.
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