SERMON QUOTE
“I am not going to dance around this. Giving away your time and money is a radical idea in this culture. And it is generally radically unpopular.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
One of the reasons giving is not popular is that the invitation to “give” is an invitation to live by faith. Living by faith has an element of unknown that can create fear, insecurity or anxiety. I want to suggest there is something we need to know before we can give.
A former teacher of mine adopted two young boys from a malnourished orphanage in Russia. When they first came to his home, at every meal they would try to stuff portions of the meal in their pockets or in small holes under the high chair. It took him a few weeks, but he realized that these boys, his new sons, were conditioned to try to hold onto food because they did not know when their next meal would be.
He explained what a powerful day it was when the boys stopped storing food away. There was no more cleaning out the holes under the high chair.
His sons finally trusted his provision. They started to live with faith. We could say, they knew they had a loving father who knew their needs and would provide for tomorrow.
“Giving” takes great faith, but the life of faith is where we find God. He meets us there and shows us who He is, a loving Father who knows our needs. When we know that, we can give our time, talent and resources.
AUTHOR BIO
Ben Dockery is the Campus Pastor at Christ Church Lake Forest. He has been attending the Church for over 2 years and recently joined the staff. He and his wife, Julie have three daughters, Abigail, Emma and Annie.
PRAYER
Faithful Father, search me and show me where I fearfully tuck away what you’ve given me today so that I’ll have something for tomorrow. Bring to mind all the ways that you love me and are generous to me…thank you. Help me to trust your love so that my generosity is evidence that I am putting my full security on you for everything and so that you will praised by what others receive from me.
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11