By Gabrielle

Read: Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46, Luke 5:29-6:11, Psalm 66:1-20, Proverbs 11:24-26

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:24-25

Relate:
Almost everyone wants to be rich. Common thinking has it that the more we collect and keep what we have, especially money, the better we feel and the “richer” we think we feel. It’s like when we are given a big pizza slice when we are hungry, only for someone to ask for a big bite from it. As someone who has experienced this several times in the past as a kid, I’d normally snatch whatever I have away and have it all to myself—who wouldn’t? And I still do it now, honestly speaking. 

The key here, as outlined in this verse, although not so obvious, is selfishness. We all get conceited and think of our own satisfactions too much to make way for others, unlike what Christ wants us to do. I find myself biting back at people who make use of my personal property, take a bite of what I eat, and want to borrow something from me. It is like hoarding too many things in your arms at once, but once you reach your limit, it all comes crashing down.

React:
A lot of people would think that if you kept giving and giving, you’d have less and less left. But in the kingdom of God, it’s the other way around. If we think and believe that God is our Provider, then anything is possible. In addition, generosity in the Biblical sense actually brings us comfort, in knowing that whoever we give charity to would be happy to accept and make use of what we give them. We prosper because God gives us all we need, at the same time He is blessing us in order for us to bless others, too. What can help us here is our love for God and others. That goes outward rather than inward. We can start by being selfless in service to our family before transitioning into donations to those in need. God can help us to develop a humble spirit that can express itself in generosity.

Respond:

Dear Lord,
Help me to be generous and unselfish toward those around me, needy or not. Please remind me of your Word of provision and promise of blessing to those who are generous. Thank you for also giving me a spirit of humility and a willingness to serve others. We all ask this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.