A Generous Heart
Devotional Reading: There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. Acts of the Apostles 4:34-35 NLT
Giving can be hard. From being a student to owning your own business or earning what you believe you’ve laboured to have, it can be hard to give when you have little money or large responsibilities. There are two major issues that can keep you from being faithful to bless those around you.
One, you may have a small view of giving. Most of the time when people think of giving, the first thing that comes to mind is financial giving. But there is more that you can give! You can give your time, energy, forgiveness, love, compassion, and so much more.
Two, it is easy to believe the lie that only large gifts can make an impact. The Lord can use our financial giving even if we can only give very small amounts. In Scripture, God joyfully accepts small gifts and multiplies them (Five loaves and two fishes in John 6, the widow of Zarephath in 1kings 17, the woman who gave her last coin in Mark 12). Do you believe the Lord will do the same with your giving? When you sacrificially give of your resources, you are trusting the Lord to use your gift bountifully. When you generously give time and energy, you are trusting that the Lord will work through you to provide for the needs of others.
Prayer and Confession
Lord, thank you for the ways in which you have blessed me. I pray that you will help me to steward those blessings well and help me be more generous to those around me. Amen.
Further Reading: 1Corinthians 9, Acts 4:32-35, Mark 12:41-44
