How to Give More When You Have Less

Has the economy left you financially challenged? Do you give less than you used to, not more? Here are three ways you can give more even when you have less:

1. Give gratefully

Everything you have belongs to God. It’s a privilege to give back to Him and to His work. No matter what the size of your gift, give it gratefully. Grateful giving means offering God the first and best part, not our leftovers (Proverbs 3:9). God will take what we give–and the rest of what we have–and multiply it in ways you never dreamed possible.

2. Give Unselfishly

We all need so little. And whatever we give away always comes back in some way. There is great joy in meeting others’ needs (Luke 6:38, NIV).

3. Give Generously

The Bible actually uses a word that means “hilarious” giving, or offering an extravagant gift. How can you do that when you have less than ever to give? Remember the woman who gave all she had to Jesus–two copper coins? Compared to the wealthy ones who gave only a small fraction, Jesus considered the woman’s gift a “hilarious” one (Luke 21:1-4, NIV). God Himself gave us His most extravagant gift when He gave us His own son, Jesus.

And when you give generously from a loving heart, three people are blessed: the recipient, you, and God.

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor (Proverbs 22:9, NIV).

How will you be blessed? That’s up to the Giver of Every Good and Perfect Gift (James 1:17) He might bless you emotionally, with an increased capacity for joy. God might grant physical blessings, in health or absence of repairs, or with the ability to stretch your money further. You may or may not experience a lessening in conflicts. And your economic challenges may not cease. But you will have enough, because our Jehovah Jireh is the God who provides all of our needs (Philippians 4:19). Whatever His blessing, it will be good, and it will be perfect for you.

Giving gratefully, giving unselfishly, giving generously, and even giving your all to Jesus may usher in things like suffering or persecution. But Jesus says that, too, is a blessing. Regardless of what God has in His plans for you, He will definitely bless you spiritually with a deepening of your faith if you will place your complete trust and dependence on Him.

You may think you have less to give, but when you give with these attitudes, you will always have more to give.

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every , producing with us great praise to God (2 Corinthians 9:8, MSG).

Special Cyber Monday Note

Rather than send out a separate newsblast, please permit me to write this short announcement for those of you who may be interested. I was one of the writers for the new devotional book on my side-bar, Mornings with Jesus 2013, by Guidepost. Just wanted you to know that Guidepost is offering it through tomorrow (Cyber Monday) at 30% savings. You can check it out at the Guidepost site. Just put it in your “cart” and enter the special code, CYBER30 on the next page.

 

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