Daily Devotional: December 5th, 2019

A few years ago…ok, several years ago when I was in college, we were required to take a ‘1 credit course’ in ‘logic’ to graduate. All I remember about it was the “if…then” formula that we had to use to ’prove’ any type of statement that was presented to us. At the time, as an “all-knowing senior in college,” I felt that the entire course was a monumental waste of ‘my valuable time.’

Over the years though, as I became a Christian and read my Bible, I found that God inspired writers to include many ‘if…then’ promises in His Word. One such ’if…then’ has to do with a powerful promise related to giving:

³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:38

Jesus taught us that if we give, then we will receive back abundantly more than we gave.

As I have studied giving over the years, the last sentence in this verse has always grabbed my attention the most. The Common English Version translates the last sentence in that verse this way: “The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.”

I don’t know about you, but, that tells me that God is serious about my understanding the truth about how He feels about my giving…and His desire that I give the best I can if I want His best back in return. (Well, that’s a no-brainer!) This applies not only to my money, but to my giving of my time and the gifts/talents that He has given to me to do the work of the Kingdom.

He desires the same things from all of us…please join me in prayer:

“Father, please help us to deeply understand that while You don’t need our money, time and talents since you created all things, we need to understand without a doubt that it is for our benefit that we learn to give generously to Your Kingdom work. Please help us to remember that Your love for us knows no limit…You gave everything by giving Your Son…and You ask so little back from us…even though we owe you everything. Forgive us for selfishly thinking of our money, time, and talents as ours alone. Help us to freely and generously give back to You what already belongs to you…and help us to truly understand the “if…then…” of giving so that we can make a difference in the lives of those with whom we come in contact each day. Just ‘IMAGINE’ what we could do as a church with that loving mindset…Father, please let it start with me! In your Son’s name, the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.