Having a spirit of generosity
24th November 2011 by Esther Pinn
Do you squirm on Sunday mornings when the offering bag comes around? Did you spend all your weekly pocket money and forget to save some for God?
Did you tell your friend that you don’t have a copy of the new DVD, Transformers: Dark of the Moon because you know they won’t give it back for a couple of months?
Do you hold money and possessions too close to your heart?
Are you a greedy person?
We definitely live in a society that has taught us how to be greedy. We expect instant gratification – we want it NOW!
While there is nothing wrong with having money and owning possessions, it’s whether you have the ability to either wait patiently for the new Xbox game or think about whether or not you really need this new game.
Proverbs 1:19
“Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.”
Sound pretty harsh doesn’t it?
Do you always need the latest fad or can you treat a friend to the movies who never has any pocket money?
God asks us to be generous
Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honour the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.”
Some of you might have a part-time job and others might still receive pocket money from their parents.
Either way, God asks us to give to him. Why? Because it shows that we trust him, that we understand the meaning of sacrifice and that we can show compassion.
Firstly, God asks us to have faith and believe that he will provide all our needs. As a teenager you might not have to pay for household bills but it's a great time to develop a habit of giving to God. It will definitely be something that you will benefit from in the future when you do have to pay for that expensive electricity bill.
Secondly, it teaches us sacrifice – to appreciate what we have and to honour God for what he has blessed us with.
Thirdly, it allows us to have compassion.
“But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuse to help – how can God’s love be in that person?” 1 John 3:17
God wants us to have a heart that extends to the underprivileged to reveal his everlasting love.
A heart attitude
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:21.
The ability to give generously is a heart issue. It’s a touchy subject. Every time it’s brought up in conversation people become defensive about how they spend their money.
Firstly, don’t give with a hard heart! Giving shouldn’t be a burden. If it is, then you hold money too close to your heart.
Secondly, don’t give because you expect to get back something. While God will often bless us for our actions, that shouldn't be the motivation for why we give.
Proverbs 11:24 says, “It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything.”
Lastly, if you can learn to let go of money and poseessions, you will feel free. Money can never bring you eternal happiness, but a giving heart will bring you great joy!
save. grow. serve.
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