The Call To Give

Daily Reading: Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase.”


Let's face it: It's easy for us to give out of abundance. We always feel like we have some to spare. Additionally, we have often heard of tithing as a command from Scripture, but the truth is regardless of giving your ten percent, we are called to give not just from abundance but from our faith, out of our love of Christ. Numerous passages in the Scriptures talk about giving.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Here we find instruction to give cheerfully regardless of the amount. This goes hand in hand with the recognition that everything we have comes from God. In Genesis 14:17-20, Abraham acknowledges that God is greatest giver of all. Without God's generosity to us, we would have nothing. So we must give not only with cheerful hearts, but in recognition that what we are giving is not really ours to hold on to.

Numerous passages also remind us that God will provide for us. Matthew 6:31-33, for example, read: "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Our mission is to seek the Lord first, trusting Him to provide all we need. And when we see others in need and we have something we can give, we are to give with the love of Christ, recognizing that we will never run out of what we need, as long as we continue to seek Christ first. We cannot worry that our supply may run out. If we have abundance today, we are to trust in Him, and let providence provide for tomorrow.

This is not to say that it's easy to live worry free, but it should be easy to trust God after all He's done for us.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to trust in you today, as I remember all you've done for me. Help me to trust you tomorrow, knowing every day is a gift from you. Amen.