Entrusted: Your First 35 Days as a Steward

Day 24 of 35 · Week 4: Stewardship of Resources

Giving Starts in the Heart

Giving is one of the clearest ways to show that God owns everything. When you give, you are saying that it was His all along.

Paul writes that whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously. Then he adds that each person should give what they have decided in their heart to give. Not reluctantly. Not under pressure. God loves a cheerful giver.

God is not after a reluctant payment. He is after a willing heart.

In the Old Testament, God's people gave the first part of their harvest. Proverbs calls it honoring the Lord with your wealth and the firstfruits of your crops. First, not leftover. Many believers today practice the tithe, giving the first ten percent of their income to their local church, as a starting place for generosity.

If you are new to giving, start where you are. Do not give out of guilt. Do not give to impress anyone. Talk with God about it. Decide in your heart. Then give regularly, first, and gladly.

You will find something surprising. Giving loosens money's grip on you. Every gift is a small declaration that God is your provider and money is not your master.

Generosity is not about the size of the gift. Jesus praised a poor widow who gave two small coins, because she gave everything she had.

Pray

Father, everything I have came from You. Give me a cheerful, generous heart. Help me give first, not last, and trust You to provide. Loosen money's grip on me. Amen.

Today's Scripture (NIV)

• 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
• Proverbs 3:9-10
• Mark 12:41-44