"Sacrificial Giving"

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you didn’t have to worry about something? Fear and anxiety take up a lot of energy and time. Fear and anxiety also make it difficult for us to get the rest we need to recover from the energy we expend by being fearful and anxious. For some, this situation causes so much suffering that therapists and doctors are needed to bring about healing and peace.

Jesus understands how worry causes so much pain. He doesn’t want us to live like this, and so He tells us in Matthew 6:31-33

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. 

We often need to be reminded that God is meeting all our needs all the time. God wants us to know that He is freeing us from fear and anxiety. Instead of chasing after food and drink and clothing like stressed out materialistic pagans, we have been set free to live in peace. We have been set free to do far more important things, like seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Understanding that God can be trusted to provide for our needs frees us to use our wealth to further His Kingdom and live righteousness lives. If you are ready to do this, then be guided by the Scripture:

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 2:9

The percentage of our income that we can cheerfully give to God is the amount that God wants us to give to Him in loving and grateful worship.

Day after day God will continue to provide for our needs. Day after day God will prove His faithfulness to us. Day after day God will show us that we can live lives that are free of worry.
 
In Christ,

Pastor David