March 19, 2023
Generosity
The Apostle Paul - “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
DAILY DEVOTION
It was a cold day when she saw him. The boy was barefoot and shivering outside of a local shoe store, peering in the front window. The lady had just exited the store after purchasing a new pair of high heels. She asked him, “Are you ok? How can I help you?” He replied, “I was just praying for God to give me a pair of shoes.” Wiping a tear from her eye, she disappeared back into the store where she returned her newly purchased high heels for a nice pair of tennis shoes and socks. After watching the boy pull on his warm socks and then helping him tie his shoes, the woman turned to leave. The little boy caught her hand and asked her, “Excuse me, Ma’am. Are you God’s wife?” She smiled. “No, I’m not God’s wife,” she replied, “but He has taken good care of me so I could help others. Today He let me help you.”
The Lord wants His people to experience “the good life” physically, emotionally, materially and spiritually, but that requires us being generous. Generosity is not a random or haphazard behavior, but a consistent trait of being willing to give of our monies, time and possessions to or for others. We must learn to be generous with the resources we have right now, regardless of how meager they may be, if we are to be generous with our resources later on. Jesus once said, “Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.” (Luke 12:48) Jesus also said, "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones. . . . If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?” (Luke 16:10-11) If we don’t handle our resources the way God intends, we’ll not have what He wants us to have or live the life He created us to live.
FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY
Ask yourself this question: What steps can I take to begin living a life of generosity? Write your answers in your journal or on a piece of paper. If you’re leading your family through this devotion, have them answer the same question as a group and then turn their answers into a prayer you can pray together as a family today.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, thank You for blessing me in physical, emotional, spiritual, and material ways. Help me be generous with all You have given me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.