The more you read the bible, the more clear it becomes that what God fundamentally wants from us is to be dependent on and trusting in Him. One of the many ways we do this is with our money. You have probably heard the expression, “you can’t outgive God.” When we give our money to our church, people in need, or organizations that help people, we are not only providing them money, we are demonstrating that we know God will take care of us and give us what we need.

I like how the NLT bible version puts Proverbs 11:24-25, “Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; Those who refresh others will be refreshed.”

It is sometimes a difficult line for us to draw between being thrifty and being stingy. Our motivation, what is in our heart is what matters. Are we remembering that all we have comes from God, and trusting him to provide?

Dear Lord, help us remember to be generous with the resources you have given us, and if we need more we should ask you. Holding our generosity and charity will not enrich us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.