Recently my church shared a video of a young couple who tithed more than their budget could handle, yet they always had money left over. They said that they didn’t receive any envelopes of cash, but mentioned how a friend commented that they always got free stuff!
(Giggle) That’s God for you.
The way we approach money is similar to how we approach our time and talents, and vice versa. Are we generous, helping people in need with our resources and talents? Or are we greedy, using time and skills only for our benefit? Do we look at life from a posture of abundance, stretching food to feed one more unexpected teen who wants to stay for dinner, or out of scarcity, not wanting to waste the time or the twenty bucks to treat the carpool kids to milkshakes after a tough practice? (Matthew 6:19-21).
These questions are not posed out of judgment. I have been up and down the continuum of scarcity to abundance. I’m embarrassed to write, but think it’s important to share that I’ve ignored meal trains, justifying that “I’m not close to that family.” I’ve also been the other extreme, being Kristie-do-gooder who helps everyone and each cause that comes to my attention. From both extremes, I recognize that I neglected to ask God what He wanted me to do. I didn’t ask how He wanted me to help others.
Maybe you too are feeling a nudge to start or strengthen your journey around generosity. Join me. I’m grateful that God has awakened generosity in me over the past years. And I want to share some of this journey with you. To begin with, consider: What would it take to increase your generosity by trusting God more with your resources and begin (or increase) your tithe? How could you become a radical giver? Why? because … “remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35.
The remainder of this blog is written around money, but please replace time or talents as you feel God tug your heart posture in those areas, as all three are received by God’s grace (1 Peter 4:7-11).
In the past, what has held back your generosity? Is it a feeling of security from a bank account balance? Or maybe you don’t like being told by your church what to do. Scripture tells us God doesn’t need our money. He owns it all (Psalm 24:1). But He does command us to give our first fruits (Malachi 3:8-12, Deuteronomy 26:8-11) and He wants us to be obedient.
I know it is hard to let go of earnings. We’ve discussed tithing with our kids for the past few years. They’ve struggled to follow through. Our most recent tithing conversation went like this … “You want me to tithe 50 cents?” Based on a $5/ride our daughter receives for driving a classmate to school. Our response is “Yes! It’s God’s money anyway!” We are still working on both of them.
Tithing is a discipline. Many are afraid they won’t have enough money now or for their future.
“How much money is enough to retire?”
This is an old question that I’ve wondered as I started my career, when my parents retired, and again as we discuss retirement with friends. Recently my husband and I were challenged with a new question: “How much should I be paid to manage God’s money?” If that sounds radical, it did to me too. The concept is to reassess where your money (time and talents) comes from, and what you are doing with it.
“You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands
have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God,
for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms
his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
Deuteronomy 8:17-18.
An analogy that helped me comprehend this is the growth cycle of wheat:
From the soil to the sun, rain, seed, and germination of the seed, laborers harvest and sell to a baker, who shapes the loaf, and feeds the family, to a full belly. God gives us our Daily Bread.
If I believe God provides everything, every item and step of the process, then where do I fit into the cycle? What is God asking me to do? How can I give the glory to Him?
“What is your Financial Finish Line?”
Many of us are familiar with the scripture of reaping and sowing:
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
So maybe the most radical question is, what is enough for us to live on so that we can give the rest away?
If we can’t take money and possessions with us (Matthew 6:19), what areas of excess can we eliminate today? Are there idols and status symbols in today’s consumption culture that are preventing us from experiencing closer times with God, deeper conversations with believers, and more time discipling others? Could you reset your end goal, and start living below your means today? I imagine that would provide an added benefit of reduced stress and anxiety too.
I also think the finish line is to remind us that our legacy is not the success we achieve here on earth but to surrender this life to Jesus, so we can experience eternal life with Christ! So, what can we do today to learn more about Heaven and teach others, sharing our spiritual inheritance (money, time, or talents) with our children and future generations?
Please pray with me…
Lord, thank You for being a generous Father, who likes to be humorous and creative in ways of teaching and blessing us. Help each of us seek You to learn what is holding us back from trusting You as the Great Provider “Jehovah Jireh*” of ALL our needs. I want more of You daily. Please prompt me with Kingdom work, so more of my friends will join me in eternal life in Heaven. Amen.
(*Genesis 22:14 KJV)
Originally published on www.Goodwordproject.com