The Peace HabitSample

Peace in Giving

It was a great night’s sleep. One of those deep, peaceful sleeps where I didn’t want to wake up.  But early that morning, in my semi-consciousness, I was interrupted by a still, small voice.

“The voice” was telling me to give a certain amount of money to a dear friend who had once helped me in ministry, and now was pursuing a new venture herself. Her cheerful, “trust-God-to-work-it-out” attitude is the perfect balance for my deadline-driven, micromanaging self.

But trusting God with finances has never been easy for me.  

Is that really you, God?  I’ve heard plenty of stories about God’s economy and have even seen blessing in my own life. But at times when the budget numbers don’t balance, my natural instinct is to freak out.

God spoke it again. “Give.” 

I kept ignoring it.  That night I was shopping online. And was about to dump a decent amount of money on something that was certainly not a necessity. I tried several times to complete the purchase, but my computer kept freezing.

But … God spoke a third time. “You won’t think twice about spending money on these unnecessary things.  Do you love me more than these?  Then give.”  He got my attention that time. When God calls you to be a part of something, I guarantee He won’t let you forget.  For two days, I had wrestled with God.  My lack of trust put my heart in knots. But as it says in Deuteronomy 15:10, Give freely and spontaneously.  Don’t have a stingy heart. (MSG) … for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.  

I relented and realized I was being stingy by not giving!  I wrote the check and gave it to my friend the next night.  Blessing her brought unspeakable peace to my spirit.  The next morning, I let God deal with my lack of trust in His provisions.  As I remembered God’s blessings in my own times of need, I was filled with a greater peace knowing my gift was a small part of my friend’s new venture.  

What is God calling you to give today?  A bigger tithe or to a friend in need?  Perhaps he’s calling you to give of your talents and gifts in a new way.  Don’t ignore God’s gentle nudges.  Give with joy, even when you think you can’t. God will bless you with peace.

Lori Clapper