How to Give Generously - day 28

How to Give Generously

1 Corinthians 16:2
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

When you consider your generosity and your giving to God, do you feel like you have a pretty good sense of how to please God in this way? You can easily see it going at least two different ways.

· Some might give next to nothing and then pat themselves on the back thinking they really did a great job. · Others might give a huge amount; but feel guilty that they haven’t made God happy.

And there are a lot of other types of people that might exist; but it’s an important question: What does God expect of us in terms of our giving?

I think we can learn a helpful lesson from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian Church. In Chapter 16, Paul talks about a collection he wants them to make. What I find really helpful is where he says, when you take this offering, you are to set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income. That means, give to this offering in proportion with the money God has given you.

There are so many reasons this is helpful.

First, we see that God isn’t comparing you to other people. He is looking at you and your personal situation and He understands what you are doing when you give.

Second, this also gives direction to people of every kind, young, old, poor, rich – everyone can find help in this. God isn’t so much concerned with the amount you give, as He is that you be faithful in proportion to what He has given you.

When you give, don’t worry if it doesn’t seem like you are able to give as much as other people, just start by giving faithfully from what God has given you. And, if from there you desire to give even more, you can do so, not out of fear or guilt; but, out of love and gratitude.

Today’s Generosity Challenge:
Over dinner tonight open the conversation with this question: For our family what is the right percentage of giving in keeping with our income? – but, before you respond, be prepared to justify your answer. What did you learn, how did their answer reflect their hearts and yours? Are you all aligned when it comes to giving? Or is there much to be done. Write down what you have observed below.

About Michael Stickler

Mike is an author, radio host, and a highly sought after motivational speaker. His best-selling book, A Journey to Generosity, is widely acclaimed throughout the Christian community. He is the publisher of Generous Living Magazine and writes for the Christian Post, 'A Generous Life' column.