Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
“When we let go of money we are letting go of part of ourselves and part of our security. But this is precisely why it is important to do it. It is one way to obey Jesus’ command to deny ourselves…
When we give money we are releasing a little more of our egocentric selves and a little more of our false security…Giving frees us from the tyranny of money. But we don’t just give money; we give the things money has purchased…Have you ever considered selling a car or a stamp collection to help finance someone’s education? Money has also given us time and leisure to acquire skills. What about giving those skills away? Doctors, dentists, lawyers, computer experts, and many others can give their skills for the good of the community.
Giving frees us to care. It produces an air of expectancy as we anticipate what God will lead us to give. It makes life with God an adventure of discovery. We are being used to help make a difference in the world…”
Richard Foster in The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1985 ) 43-44.
Since tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, try this today. Take inventory of what you have: money, assets, skills, and other things. These are the abundant resources in your stewardship. Ask God how He wants you to use them to make a difference in the world.
If you want a suggestion, consider joining us in helping finance the education of a young man training to be a pastor despite limited financial resources. Click here to support Peter Gomez. Before you give to this opportunity, or anything else, start with a prayer.
Father in Heaven, thanks for resourcing me with bandwidth and bounty to bless others. Guide me by your Holy Spirit in how I should put to work what You have entrusted to me as a faithful steward on an adventure of discovery. In your mercy, hear my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.