Focus
Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.
Read
8 I do not say this as a command, but I am, by mentioning the eagerness of others, testing the genuineness of your love. 9 For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10 And in this matter I am giving my opinion: it is beneficial for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something. 11 Now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. 13 For I do not mean that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality between 14 your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may also supply your need, in order that there may be equality. 15 As it is written,
“The one who had much did not have too much,
and the one who had little did not have too little.”
Reflect
I believe that God is supremely generous to us! Giving is spiritual. Giving generously is a measure of spiritual maturity.
We live in a society of scarcity. We never seem to have enough. I remember when I first began grocery shopping as a newlywed. I suddenly had the freedom to get almost anything I wanted! So, I got more than I needed. My lack of spiritual maturity was evident. I didn’t even think about giving away some of my excess or making a meal for somebody in need.
Two years ago, a college student in our presbytery came to our church to lead an aviation camp for our young people. He was funded by his university. He did not charge our church anything. The children who attended the aviation camp were delighted with the activities, especially with the opportunity to learn to fly a drone! His generous gift will live on in the young people who participated.
Generosity is one of the seeds that we can plant. We keep on planting, not knowing when or where it will take root. I believe that our own lives become delightfully rooted in God when we develop a generous spirit.
Pray
Generous God, help me to let go. Help me to share my money, my food, my clothes, my education, my abilities, and my own life. Everything I have is a generous gift from you. Just as you gave manna to the Hebrew people in the wilderness, you give to us. It did those people no good to hoard the manna! Likewise, it does us no good to hoard our possessions. I do not want to live as if everything is scarce. Help me, generous God. Help me to let go. Amen.
Go with God!
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