“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work … You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Corinthians 9:8,11).
Does the devil try to tempt you to think that if you give to God or increase your giving to God you won’t be able to take care of yourself like you need to? Well, he’s right!
You can’t take care of yourself, but you need God to take care of you. He promises he always will take care of you, even when you give away what you need.
God is able to make all his grace overflow in your life so that you can give to him out of faith and love.
One church member was really struggling in the decision making process of increasing her giving of financial offerings. She was talking with her pastor about it and shared her difficulty. He asked her, “What if you increase your giving and I promise you that if you can’t afford to pay for any of your life needs I will cover the expense for you completely?”
She thought about it and agreed.
“Do you mean to tell me,” her pastor gently chided her, “that you are willing to trust in me, an imperfect human with limited resources and with a sinful mind that could rethink my promise, but you’re not willing to trust in God who is perfect in his promises and owns the whole universe and would give it to you if you really need it?”
When we think about giving to God or increasing our giving to God, the place to start isn’t how much we think we need, or how much we might not have later, or how much others are giving.
The place to start is to consider what God has graciously given us and how much he graciously promises to us. God is able.
PRAYER: God, when the Bible says that you are able, it means that you can do things I could never do. Be patient with me as I learn to trust you with those those things more every day. Today, nudge my trust in a new way to believe that you are able. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Slow down, and use the PRAY acronym.
- Praise (tell God what you appreciate about him being able)
- Repent (tell God about your slowness to believe his promises)
- Ask (what do you need to gain more trust? ask God for it)
- Yield (talk to God about the next step after you say “Amen,” how you want faith to lead the way, how you are willing to be part of his answer and see it develop for your good)