Journey: A New Believer's Guide to Spiritual GrowthSample

Sharing the Journey

Yesterday, we talked about how we are all part of one body in the church, we each have a role and are expected to help one another by sharing our talents for the benefit of others. Not only does God want us to share our talents with others, but God also calls us to share our financial resources with others as well.

The first Christians did this from the beginning. It says this in Acts, “And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.” (Acts 2:44-45 NLT)

Now that’s generosity!! Here’s what is even more amazing -- These people had not been believers long and yet they were so generous! 

Here’s why they could be so generous with their money: it’s because they knew how generous God had been to them first. Let’s say you were having a good day, like a really good day and you gave me your house and it just happened to be on the beach and also paid off. Then you gave me your car to go with it! It must have been a really, really good day for you, right?! But a month later you’re not having a good day and you’ve come on hard times, and you need a 'couple hundred' bucks…If you asked me for some money, what do you think I would say? Of course! What’s a 'couple hundred' bucks compared to what you’ve already given me?! 

Here’s something to remember: An understanding of what we’ve been given will produce generosity in our lives. Why? Because that understanding transforms the heart. This is why we can give the tithe, 10% of our income. Maybe you’ve heard this term tithe before.

This was a standard for the people of God in the Old Testament and has been a norm for the church through the centuries. It was an act of obedience, out of love and gratitude. 

Now that 10% might scare you! Don’t let it. Instead, be encouraged with this: Start being generous with your time, gifts, energy, and financial resources and watch God bless you in return.  And, don’t let the number or percentage stop you. Start where you can, now. And, watch as God shows you new ways to generously bless those around you. 

Using a farming illustration, The Bible talks about giving. If we give generously, God will see that generosity and bless it in proportion to the sacrifice. This is the only area in which God tells us to test him and watch him pour out blessings.

Now sometimes that blessing is financial, many times it is not. Either way, you can know this:  you can’t out-give God and your needs will always be met as you’re generous to others! This is the reality of being generous: It’s what God does! 

CHALLENGE

This week, try it. Give something. Let it stretch your faith! But be on the watch for God's blessing headed your way as you share on your journey!