Wiser and Happier: Devotions From Time of GraceNäide

Money Matters: Giving money God’s way I was crushed. As I was greeting people after worship one Sunday, one of the members came by and said, “Gosh, Pastor, if I had known that this was going to be Stewardship Sunday, I would not have brought a friend.” Ouch! Was I that bad? Had I made Jesus look bad that day? Had I turned one of a Christian’s most joyful privileges into a joyless duty? Giving is worship. Giving to God acknowledges him as Maker of all (remember--“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it”), Giver of all (remember--“What do you have that you did not first receive?”), and worthy of our best (remember--“He made himself poor, so that we through his poverty might become rich”). Giving God’s money back to him is a “wanna,” not a “hafta.” “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9,10). God is already living in your future, and he is capable of giving back to you faster than you can give to him. Feel the love. Feel the joy.