SHARING THE GIFT
Kimberly Lawrence
Today's Scripture: “Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.” 2 Corinthians 9:1-2, ESV
Theme: Your generosity encourages other believers in their journeys towards greater faithfulness.
IT’S CONTAGIOUS!
One of my husband’s spiritual gifts is generosity. Not only is he a thoughtful gift giver, but he also finds genuine happiness by blessing others. One small way he uses his gift of generosity is with service providers. We’ve had many discussions over the years about his tendency to “overtip.” Wherever we go, he will tip far beyond the customary 20%. I recall a time when we were regulars at the local Waffle House and he left what amounted to a 100% cash tip. I was flabbergasted because, as the banker of the family, that just didn’t make financial sense to me. He explained, while that extra money was not likely to significantly change our long-term financial situation, it could be meaningful to the person who was so pleasant in taking care of us each time we went there to eat. He’s helped me see the dual benefit in being generous. It not only demonstrates appreciation and grows the faith of the giver, it may also bring happiness or relief to the receiver so they may see God through me. I have learned so much from him over the years as we’ve gone on this giving journey together. His boundless generosity has become extremely contagious! Today, we not only seek ways to bless those around us in small ways (meals or gift cards for families recovering from illness or experiencing loss, contributing toward a mission trip, or helping a friend cover a bill for pet care, gas or groceries), we celebrate joyfully with our tithes and offerings. We have fully trusted God with our finances and, guess what, He has been faithful!
A MATTER OF THE HEART
As a new believer, my walk of faith began with reading the Bible, committing to a quiet time and developing a consistent prayer life. It was only as my faith evolved that I understood and internalized how generosity is critical to living like Jesus and to pleasing God. My previous hesitation to give was never because I didn’t want to share with or bless others. It was about my own fear of not having enough left for myself. I was not trusting God the way I needed to. My nature is to calculate costs and consequences. For me, cheerful giving came only when I could comprehend two things. First, generosity is a measure of my own faith and second, none of what I have was ever “mine” in the first place. When Jesus praised a poor widow for giving two small coins – all she had – He demonstrated the point that giving generously is a matter of the heart, not a matter of the wallet. We truly trust God to provide all things when we give cheerfully and sacrificially, not under compulsion or obligation. God instructs us not to worry about our lives, what we will eat or drink or what we will wear on our bodies, because He will provide. As I have matured in my faith, I now understand that every single thing I’ve ever had, whether I was scrimping or had plenty of margin, was provided by His hand, not my own. I am, and have always been, just a steward.
Make It Personal: Sharing my giving testimony isn’t easy for me yet. I want to encourage other believers that God is faithful while focusing on Him and what He promises, not on me. In our obedience, He will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be enough room to store it (Malachi 3:10)! My motivation to share my own story must always be rooted in glorifying God, not in self-promotion. He calls us to be generous, without seeking recognition. We also learned from the story of the poor widow that it’s not meant to be a comparison game. My giving may be very different from your giving, but both are a measure of our hearts and our faith. Today, I ask you to consider sharing your giving testimony to stir others up so they may also experience the faithfulness, provision and abundance of God. This is not meant for boastfulness but for the encouragement of maturing believers. If you’ve experienced the blessings of God through being obedient in this way, it’s part of your testimony that deserves to be shared.
Pray: God, thank You for the ways you have abundantly blessed and provided for me. Help me remember that all I have is provided by Your hand alone. I want to overcome my stingy nature so I can experience the fullness of faith in You. Allow me the opportunity to share my giving testimony, not for personal recognition but to encourage others and to glorify You. Amen.
Read: Malachi 3:11; Matthew 6:1-4; Matthew 6:19-34; Luke 21:1-4
Weekly Memory Verse: “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25, NLT