God's Gift of Money: Devotions from Time of GraceSample

Keep it moving

One of the wondrous features of the teachings of Christ is that God’s world works seemingly backward from our everyday experience. According to Jesus’ teaching, God measures greatness through humility. Getting what you need by serving others. Winning by yielding.

Here’s another “backward” gospel principle: you get more by giving more. “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:24,25). Doesn’t that sound counterintuitive? If you do things for other people, then you will have less time, money, and energy for yourself, right?

Here’s the mystery component: it’s God who enters our lives quietly to make things happen for people who adopt his agenda for their lives. We don’t live in a zero sum universe. Our God is a God of abundance. The One who once multiplied loaves and fishes to feed a multitude can see to it that faithful and generous men and women will have everything they need and more.

Now--if he could only persuade you to believe that. Go ahead. Call his bluff.