Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:32-35
“If money competes with God in our life, it is giving that can counter it. Giving breaks the hold that money has on us. If we keep increasing our giving as a matter of discipline, we will be able to turn our eyes away from money, on onto God, the Provider of all things. Giving is the very nature of God and learning to care and provide for the needs of others is absorbing the character of God in us . . .
The ultimate objective of God’s provision of riches is not just to provide for our personal needs, but to use us as a channel to bless the world. We give out of love for our Father whose nature is to give out of His love for us. So great is His love that He sent His Son to die for our sins so that we may have eternal life. As we respond out of that love in generosity, it leads to a blessing to the world that God desires through us.”
Manju George in Enjoy Money, God’s Way (Bengaluru, India: Eudemonia Consulting LLP, 2018) 14, 17.
This is a great little book! Manju graciously gave it to me in Bengaluru, India, when we met up in January 2020 and I brought it on this trip and read it on my long flight home. I am glad I did.
I strongly endorse it. Though it may be hard to access outside of India. It’s readable, biblical, and has practical tips for application. And the excerpts from the book, which I cited above, struck me as so beautiful!
God’s very nature is generosity and love. When we give, we absorb that character. The act of giving transforms us. We become channels of love and blessing that God desires us to be.
How are you? We are one week into the journey of Lent. Are you increasing giving “as a matter of discipline” to help you grow in this grace? God does not need the money; we need to give it to turn our eyes to Him.