“The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.” Acts 11:29-30 (NIV)
God blesses generosity. You cannot join God in His redemptive activity and employ a stingy mindset. You cannot be selfish and effectively join God in His redemptive activity. Joining God involves being generous with your resources just as God has been generous toward you.
The church at Jerusalem was instrumental in birthing the church in Antioch. Now the mother church in Jerusalem is in financial need and the daughter church in Antioch responds by generously meeting the need. The grace of God was evidenced by the sacrificial and spontaneous generosity exhibited by the church in Antioch.
Sir Winston Churchill is noted for saying, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” What are you currently giving to fund the Lord’s work? Are you sacrificial in your giving?
Let’s make a life by bringing the life of Christ to a dark and decaying world through our generosity. Placing the needs of others before our own is the first step!
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor