Living Changed: ProvisionExemplo

Sharing Generously 

A devotional with Crystal 

When we feel like we have it all together, we can easily become inward-focused and miss the needs around us. Sometimes it takes us experiencing a great need in our own life to encounter God in a new way. 

All my life leading up to my divorce, I honestly had not experienced any unmet physical needs. I took for granted that bills were always paid and food was always available. I didn’t think twice about where I would get clothes, school supplies, or anything we needed.

Then nearly 10 years into my marriage, with two young children and one on the way, my husband left and moved nearly two hours away. I was suddenly a single mom with part-time income and little support from their father. I felt the ache of being in need because I didn’t make enough to pay for the basic things we needed to live. So, I cried out to God and got vulnerable with my church family. 

Amazingly, as I experienced poverty, I simultaneously experienced generosity. Help flooded in as other believers gave their time, their money, and their resources to support my little family. I was overwhelmed by their love for us, and I remember saying to myself that someday, somehow I wanted to do that for someone else.

Years later, I took my first step toward living generously as I started to return the first tenth of my income to God through the tithe, and then I began to give of my time by serving at church. I gave out of the little I had because I had experienced the power of generosity personally. 

Now, 10 years later, I’m still a single mom but life looks much different. I’ve learned to steward what I have well and to live within my means. I was even able to purchase my own home on my one income while prioritizing helping others. 

I love that God heard me that day when I said I wanted to ‘pass on’ the generosity I experienced as a new single mom—exhausted, grieving, and unable to provide for her family. I feel incredibly humbled to have been able to take part in providing for other women in the same way over and over and over again.

Maybe you’re like me and your circumstances are tough and resources are few. Maybe generosity feels scary and hard. I get it. Start small and remember that every great journey requires that first brave step. God sees you and wants to teach you to trust Him, no matter how much or how little you have.

We pray this plan has built your faith in God’s provision power and encouraged you to take your next step in trusting God with your finances.

We pray God used this plan to minister to your heart.

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