In Philippians 4:18 I read, “I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me . . . They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.” (NLT)
Life is not about things. It’s about learning how to love.
One of the best ways to learn to love is through generosity—giving my time, money, effort, and energy. When I’m generous, I’m affirming that God and people matter most to me. In other words, what matters most is love.
Every time I give—whether that’s giving my time, money, effort, or energy—I reveal what matters to me.
Does my schedule reveal that my career matters most to me? Does my bank statement show that my hobby is most important? Or does how I spend my money and time show that loving God and people matters most to me?
If at the end of life I’ve acquired a giant pile of things but I’m estranged from my family and friends, I’ve missed the point! I’ve missed the opportunity to love through my generosity.
But when I spend my life building generously into people and relationships, I’m living in the light of heaven. I’m living in love.
Think about the people I’m most grateful for from my own life. Most of those are probably people who have invested time, money, effort, or energy in me.
Paul gives an example of this: “You have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News . . . No other church did this . . . At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me . . . They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:14-15, 18 NLT).
The people Paul was writing to had learned this truth: I earn a living by what I make, but I earn the respect and gratitude of others by what I give out of a loving heart.
Take some time today to reflect on the people who’ve been generous to me. Then use them as a model for how I can be generous to others.
In summary, life is not about things. It’s about learning how to love. One of the best ways to learn to love is through generosity—giving my time, money, effort, and energy. When I’m generous, I’m affirming that God and people matter most to me. Every time I give—whether that’s giving my time, money, effort, or energy—I reveal what matters to me. Does my schedule reveal that my career matters most to me? Does my bank statement show that my hobby is most important? Or does how I spend my money and time show that loving God and people matters most to me? If at the end I’ve acquired a giant pile of things but I’m estranged from my family and friends, I’ve missed the point! I’ve missed the opportunity to love through my generosity. But when I spend my life building generously into people and relationships, I’m living in love. I earn a living by what I make, but I earn the respect and gratitude of others by what I give out of a loving heart. Take some time today to reflect on the people who’ve been generous to me. Then use them as a model for how I can be generous to others.
I have all I need, not all I want. God takes care of me and will supply all my needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to me in Christ Jesus. I can trust that God will always meet my needs. There is a difference between my wants and my needs. I may not always get what I want. But when I trust in Christ, he will help adjust my perception, my attitude and my appetite. I begin to accept his provision and his power to live for him and his purposes for my life. I have no need to worry, life is more than just the accumulation of things. He has assumed responsibility for all of my needs. If I find myself worrying, then it's because I'm assuming responsibility for something that God has said he will take care of. God knows what's going on in my life. He knows all my needs, even before I ask. He wants to help me out.
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