Posts with the category “giving”

I trust God’s provision, but I still worry about finances when writing a check or giving online to church. I have never gone hungry but have wondered if this will be the week where the groceries don’t stretch far enough. I have example after example of how I have seen this provision come into play in my life, but when we receive notice that a bill price is going up and the paycheck isn’t, I still ...  Read More

Have you ever felt that you don’t have anything to give or that your gift is so small that it is insignificant? Have you ever thought, why bother? It’s not big enough to make a difference.I wonder how the poor widow with only two mites, in Luke 21:1-4, felt when she was in the presence of the rich. I wonder if she felt despised. I wonder if she felt out of place. I wonder if she thought her gift w...  Read More

Let us continue “March-ing” forward and ask ourselves, “What type of giving is good and pleasing to God?”“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” – (Hebrews 13:16 ESV). This verse, by itself, may seem vague or ambiguous. However, combined with our January topics of prayer and fasting, a clearer picture begins emerging. There is another form o...  Read More

“One person gives freely; yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty” (Proverbs 11:24 NIV).From a human, logical standpoint, this verse makes no sense. How can you give away your money and gain more?As a lifelong tither, many years of experience have proven the truth in this scripture. However, at one point in my life, thirty years ago, we quit tithing and started occasiona...  Read More

“Remember that our Lord Jesus said, "More blessings come from giving than from receiving" (Acts 20:35b CEV).This scripture about giving became startlingly real to me as a teenager.Growing up as a PK (preacher’s kid), the only family “vacation” we took was to our denomination’s camp meeting each summer. This consisted of a week of church services, fellowship with friends, eating many sandwiches, an...  Read More

In the times we are living, we give gifts frequently. We have Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and of course, birthdays. It has become such a way of life that some joy has been lost. The pressure of what to get and the anticipation of gifts can be overwhelming. I’ll be honest, I have bought gifts out of obligation. The kind of joy that comes from finding that special gift is getting lost in exp...  Read More

I know exactly how she felt. She had lost so much. Her husband. Her position. Her future. Now she came to the temple. Others who gathered gave gifts that would make a genuine difference. The widow’s mite held little ability to help. Even though her gift felt insignificant, it probably scared her. She had nothing more. No money for food. No money to survive on. She gave amid loss, facing an uncerta...  Read More

There have been many sermons given on tithing. This is an important subject, and each pastor has tackled it at least once in their ministry and probably more. I know it’s sometimes difficult to listen to this topic too. If you’re like me, you would rather skip that day when tithing is the topic! There are other ways of giving. You can give of your time, your talent, a shoulder to lean on, or be th...  Read More

I want to believe in the goodness of people when it comes to giving to others. According to Maslow’s five levels of a human’s basic needs, food, water, clothing, sleep, and shelter are necessary to survive. For many people, these needs cannot be met without the help of charitable organizations.  We have all seen the devastation left behind by a storm. The aftermath is unbelievable, but many people...  Read More

Have you ever saved something for a rainy day? Perhaps you set aside funds for emergencies like car repairs or health needs. I know I have. I have a backup plan for multiple scenarios because I don’t like surprises. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m worried that God won’t come through when I need it most. Perhaps, you have felt the same.The Bible reminds us that God cares and knows exactly what we need. ...  Read More

Giving is when you freely transfer something to someone other than yourself. However, God’s Word gives us an example of what the giver’s heart should look like.2 Corinthians 8:7 (MSB) says, “Just as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us---see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”  Graceful giving is freely devoting, sett...  Read More

Do you love shopping as much as I do? My love of shopping began as a little girl when I was given an allowance of fifty cents per week. At first, I would spend every penny on candy. Then later in my middle school years, I started saving up my allowance for something I wanted, like a boogie board. Later in my teens, I went nuts and purchased a lot of unneeded souvenirs on family vacations. In adult...  Read More