Read: Luke 3:7–14 | Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 12–13; Luke 16
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion. 2 Corinthians 9:7
A pastor breathed life into the phrase “He’d give you the shirt
off his back” when he gave this unsettling challenge to his church:
“What would happen if we took the coats off our backs and gave them to
the needy?” Then he took his own coat and laid it at the front of the
church. Dozens of others followed his example. This was during the
winter, so the trip home was less comfortable that day. But for dozens
of people in need, the season warmed up just a bit.
When John the Baptist roamed the Judean wilderness, he had a
stern warning for the crowd that came to hear him. “You brood of
vipers!” he said. “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke
3:7–8). Startled, they asked him, “What should we do then?” He responded
with this advice: “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one
who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same” (vv. 10–11).
True repentance produces a generous heart.
Because “God loves a person who gives cheerfully” (nlt),
giving should never be guilt-based or pressured (2 Cor. 9:7). But when
we give freely and generously, we find that it truly is more blessed to
give than to receive.
Lord, thank You for the many ways You bless us. Forgive us for so often taking Your goodness for granted. Show us what we have that we might use to bless someone else today.
Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25
© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries
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