November 20, 2022:
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over …” – Luke 6:38
Sometimes we can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of excessive holiday spending. People take advantage of Black Friday but can overdo it, spending more than anticipated. The name “Black Friday” means when retailers begin to earn a profit or are “in the black.” Consumers “give” their money for desired items, often increasing their debt. This poor stewardship may bring on a “Blue Monday.” Why? Because of overspending, mainly on unnecessary and temporary things.
Good stewardship is how we handle, protect, and invest in something that belongs to someone else. God has given us much, and “to whom much is given, much is required.” Some put so much effort into “giving” their resources to accumulate temporary things. How much more should we seek to give of ourselves and our time, talents, and resources to the eternal things of God?
Biblically speaking, “give, and it shall be given unto you.” Be a cheerful giver, knowing you are giving to God’s great purpose. He rewards our giving and will do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).
Pray:
- that we practice sound stewardship principles and implement a biblical plan for financial health, stability, and sacrificial giving, so God may bless our finances. (II Corinthians 9:7)
- that negating behaviors or circumstances that lead to unnecessary/emotional spending habits will be identified and eliminated from our lives. (Proverbs 21:5)
- that we create a budget, are frugal, and not wasteful. Jesus is an excellent example of frugality; He took up leftovers after feeding the multitude. (John 6:5-12)
- that God blesses us with the provisions needed and helps us invest wisely and manage the money and resources He has provided. (Ecclesiastes 7:12)
- that we give ourselves, monies, time, talents, and resources to the work of God. (Proverbs 19:17)
