"Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be." Matthew 6:21 (NLT)
"Give whatever you can according to what you have. If you are really eager to give, it isn't important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don't have." 2 Corinthians 8: 11b-12 (NLT)
"You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully." 2 Corinthians 9:7
Yes, 3 quotes for the follow-up! I couldn't choose just one because they all give me comfort and instruction when it comes to giving of my time, talent, and finances. They are Biblical guidelines for living a generous life.
Do you struggle with what a generous life looks like or how to live it? Sit with these verses a while and really let them sink it. Memorize them, talk them over with someone you love and trust. Go back and read just the Scripture Rachel talks about in this chapter (Matthew 6, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Timothy, 1 Kings 17: 7-24, 2 Corinthians 8 & 9). Do you hear common thoughts and ideas? Ask yourself how you will apply them to your life.
Finally, I want to comment on Rachel's "kingdom secret" on page 99. As a Lutheran, the idea of having a 'divine savings plan' just doesn't sit right with me (and my Bible study ladies, too). I don't think Rachel means to say that we have to buy our way into heaven by doing good works, but it kind of comes across that way. We know that Christ died for our sins. Period. There is no way we can live a life worthy of salvation on our own, nor can we buy our way to heaven by doing good deeds here on Earth. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. John 4:16, Titus 3:5. What other Scripture do you like that tells about God's grace for our Salvation? Leave them in the Comments for all of us to read!
(Remember if you're reading this in your e-mail, you have to go the website to post comments).
James 2:14-20 helps me to understand that doing good deeds should be a result of my faith. Verses 21-26 go on to show us examples of faith supported by deeds in the Old Testament.
As Christians we are called to live a generous life, with Jesus as our example. When we live generously out of our faith, we are rewarded (2 Cor 9:8-11 & Psalm 112:9, Matthew 6:4, 6, 18).
I'd love to hear about your response to this chapter! If you need some ideas to get you started, why not comment on one or more of these?
* A generous person/people I know.
* Share a time you were generous and what, if anything, happened as a result.
* An area of generosity I'd like to improve in my life is...
Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly
"For your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you." 2 Corinthians 9:13-14
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