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Missions Discipleship

Relentless in Giving Sacrificially

“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, NIV)

Have you ever overfilled a container and made a huge mess? I recently did just this. As I filled a container with water, I knew (really knew!) it would spill all over if I kept pouring. But . . . I kept on pouring. Do you know what happened? It spilled. All over my counter. I knew the results of my actions, but I did not follow through with what I understood to be true.

I love the image of generosity shared by our Lord Jesus as He taught the crowds (Luke 6:38). This is the perfect picture of what happens when we have a generous heart and allow that to lead our actions. How much the Lord will press down, shake a bit, and add more, until everything runs over, filling our hearts and lives with His generosity!

Jesus taught the Christian character trait of being generous. Trust goes hand in hand with generosity. If we give generously and sacrificially to others, we must trust and rely on the Lord to continually fill our coffers and provide for our own needs. Our Lord created and owns all things. He can and will provide. He is worthy of our trust and honor.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;

(Proverbs 3:9, NIV)

The word “relentless” can have a positive or negative connotation. But when we talk about the Lord, it is ALL good news. As we consider the different areas of our lives in which we can be relentless, pursuing a lifestyle of sacrificial giving is one habit that positively impacts our lives. We do not give just to get something back, but as we sacrificially give of our finances, time, energy, and talents, we do so in honor of and obedience to our Lord. From the depths of our love and adoration of Jesus Christ springs a relentless, generous heart focused on ways to give to others-our preschoolers, churches, neighbors, communities, missionaries, and missions organizations.

Imagine this: The Lord responding to your generosity and sacrificial giving with overflowing blessings. And no messes to clean up!

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (2 Cor. 9:6, NIV)

Pray: Lord Jesus, We give praise and thanksgiving to You for all things. You are the Lord, a generous and loving Father. Lord, please help us to generously and sacrificially give of our time, talents, energy, and resources. Lead us in relentless pursuit of seeking You with our entire beings. As we give, Lord, use our gifts for Your glory and Your purposes. We honor You with everything we are and all we have. In Your Precious name. Amen.

 

Written by Angie Quantrell, WMU Preschool Resources Editor