Read: Luke 14:7-14 Study: For Jesus, generosity was not just about giving money. It was an attitude that touched all of life. In Luke 14, he wasn’t giving advice on a clever way to make yourself look good to others. Consistent with all of his life and teaching, he urged people to avoid selfishly pushing…
Read MoreRead: Luke 12:13-21 Study: A man quarreling with his brother over an inheritance triggered Jesus’ telling of this short but haunting story. A rich farmer reaping a large crop, he said, thought about nothing but how to keep it all, adding it to his already overflowing food and wealth. Fixated on his worldly fortune, he…
Read MoreRead: Genesis 14:19-20, 28:16-22, Malachi 3:7-10 Study: The idea of giving one-tenth of what we have to God didn’t start in a church finance office. Genesis said Abraham and Jacob his grandson responded to God’s presence in their lives by giving back one-tenth to God in ways that fit their time and place. After Israel’s…
Read MoreRead: 1 Timothy 6:7-19 Study: The apostle Paul wrote to his protégé Timothy that the truest measure of the good life is not material, but spiritual. He didn’t want the often-short-lived joys of material wealth to blind Timothy or the members of his church to God, “who richly provides” for our well-being. Then as now,…
Read MoreRead: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Study: In this section of scripture, Paul calls us to sow with generosity and cheer. Often times, when we give, we do so out of obligation. What would it look like to give with cheer? How would your life change if you worked with the mindset of giving? Today, think about…
Read MoreRead: Daniel 3:17 Study: God delivers! The God who created the entire universe has promised to deliver us from the flames and trials of life. This is not saying that life will be easy if you follow Christ. If fact it might be even harder. But, when we follow Christ, God promises that he will…
Read MoreRead: John 15:13 Study: There is no bigger sacrifice in our world than being willing to risk your life daily in order to keep those around you safe. Jesus gave his life for us and he occasionally calls people to risk their lives for others. If you are one of these people who risk your…
Read MoreRead: Deuteronomy 9:1-3 Study: Like the Isrealites who faced an enemy far stronger and daunting than themselves, we often face daunting tasks and are met with expectations that we cannot seem to live up to. What do we do when we struggle and seem abandoned? Like the Israelites before us, we must be faithful and…
Read MoreRead: Isaiah 43:2 Study: God promises to never leave us. There are times in our lives when we feel as if we are drawing in responsibility, debt, addiction, or shame. Whatever it may be, if you feel this way, know that God promises to protect you and keep you from being burned. Take a moment,…
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