Kingdom Rules (Part 2) - Disciple Makers Series #5Sample

Giving, Praying and Fasting

Giving is not just about money. It is how we handle everything God has given to us – money, resources, time, opportunities, relationships. Do we give of these so that we receive special recognition? Do we do it to honor God – and let God determine how it will be rewarded?

Here Jesus describes people who seek attention from people and receive it. And that is all the reward they will ever get. Wow. That is sad. Why would anyone ever sacrifice everything just for that? Many people do it – including a lot of God’s people. I cannot tell you how many people want the things they do recognized by people – even pastors, leaders, and everyone else.

A lot of this discipline of giving is learning how to give without seeking recognition. It starts by recognizing that it is not yours to give – it is God’s. Releasing things that belong to others takes the attention away from us and puts on the One who actually owns it – God. We let it bring honor to Him. We are just the persons honored to release to others in need.

Time to Pray

Father, today I just start by going over everything I have – and declaring that it is a gift from You, a responsibility entrusted by You and a blessing to be released as You decide. Father, my hands hold things tightly and I get it tied too closely to me. I need a fresh perspective that everything is Yours. I struggle with this. At times I really struggle. Father, help me to start this week/this year afresh and ask what it is that You want with all the resources You have placed in my hands. It will probably scare me – because it will expose my heart for things, but I still ask - in Jesus’ name Amen.

To continue on the Disciple Makers Series click on the link below:

 Disciples of the Kingdom