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

Contributing to the needs of others

Maybe you know this already from personal experience, but people’s generosity has little to do with their degree of wealth. Social scientists confirm that there is no correlation between wealth and generosity.

There is, however, a strong correlation between generosity and the Spirit of the Lord, one of whose most valuable gifts is a willingness to share resources. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. . . . If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously” (Romans 12:6,8).

Why is that so hard? Because we think it’s our money. Because we are afraid we won’t have enough for ourselves. Because we think other people’s problems are their problems. Because we are driven by our own agenda, not God’s. Because we think that sharing means we will have less.

In fact every one of those beliefs is untrue. In fact all we have really belongs to God and we are just his managers. In fact generosity in the lives of God’s people moves him to release even more resources to us. In fact we were created for the sole purpose of giving glory to God and serving his agenda. In fact the Bible promises that those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.