Day 73 - It’s Time…To Give!
Generosity is one of the distinctive marks of discipleship. When Jesus is actively at work in our lives, our desire to share our blessings grows stronger and stronger. Stinginess is the antithesis of a Christ-like life.
Jesus was watching people pass by the offering box. Some rich folks came by and put in their offering. I’m sure they must have put in a large quantity of money. Then a poor widow came by the offering box and put in two small copper coins. Jesus then made an amazing statement, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.†(Luke 21:3-4) Jesus’ teaching illustrates an important truth about our giving. It’s not the amount of your gift; it’s the proportion of your gift. As it has been said, “it’s not the amount you give, it’s the amount you’ve got left that reflects the size of your gift.â€
As we attempt great things for God in our community, we must never forget an important principle of giving, “Not Equal Gifts, Equal Sacrifice.†Just as the Lord has blessed each of us to a different degree, our gifts will vary in size but hopefully the amount of our “sacrifice†will be consistent.
When it comes to our giving to the Lord’s work, I like the way author Randy Alcorn describes what he calls The Treasure Principle—You can’t take it with you but you can sent it on ahead.
The hour is late, the opportunities are many, and the lost need to hear, so it’s time to give like never before!
Today’s Scripture Promise: “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.†(Proverbs 3:9-10)