Giving Is Source Of Abundance

Devotion for Saturday January 27, 2018

Topic: Giving Is Source Of Abundance

Text: Luke 6:30 – 38

Generosity in giving of material goods as well as love, compassion, and forgiveness of others will result in returned generosity from God and men to us in the same measure. Jesus wants us to be merciful and loving, not selfish or spiteful. He is against retaliation and the concept of an eye-for-an-eye recompense for wrongdoing. The illustration here is of blessings being returned in a bushel basket, filled to the brim, pressed down and shaken together to make room for more, then running over.

Jesus wants our measure of mercy and kindness to overflow. Those who give easily will find goodness coming back to them. Those who are stingy and reluctant givers will receive in the same way. Jesus assures that the recompense will be in good measure, pressed down shaken together and running over to accommodate more. Being liberal is the way to riches; giving is the best and surest way of thriving.

The woman of Zarephath gave her last and that opened doors of abundance for her. Beloved, if you want to live in abundance this year, plan and give; give to genuine needy people, widows, destitute, the Levites and others who will not return or recompense your good deeds. Surely, your reward will be great. Start today by giving what you have to that person that will ask for it.

Sing A&M 361; Abu 128

Food for Thought: God has given us two hands-one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing. – Billy Graham

Memory verse: Luke 6:38

Prayer: Lord, teach me how to give because it is a way to make me look like you, the giver of all things in Jesus name. Amen. 

Leadership and Generosity

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday February 21, 2017     

Topic: Leadership and Generosity

Text: 1 Chronicles 16:1 – 3

David had a great regard and love for God, no wonder he was termed a man after God’s heart. He brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem and wanted to build a house for it but God restrained him from doing it. Some of our leaders today are not perturbed by dilapidated church building in their environment. Unfortunately, it is not so with the Muslims. They always want to build place of worship. Christians who are leaders should always use their position to build places of worship of God Almighty.

When David brought the Ark into the city, he praised God and made offering to the Lord. David was very pleased that the Ark was now in Jerusalem after the previous attempt failed. In his joy he offered burnt and peace offerings to the Lord. He blessed his people and gave them gifts as a mark of his generosity. David’s act of generosity is commendable and should be emulated by all in leadership positions.

As God was generous to David and he demonstrated same, those of us He has been generous to, should do the same to the less privileged and the poor people under us. When Herod was happy, he didn’t remember God. Rather he called for friends to a party and at the peak of his merriment; he made a promise which resulted to the death of John the Baptist.

Those of us in leadership positions should give special considerations to people we lead. They should make laws that will be favourable to their subjects and avoid owing their workers’ wages because the bible condemns it (See Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15). As at the time of writing today’s devotion, some states in Nigeria owed their workers up to 8 months’ salary arrears. Unfortunately, some of these Governors are Christians who never stopped their own salaries and allowances. Christian leaders should be generous to their subjects as David was.

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 24:14 – 15

Memory verse: 1 Chronicles 16 verse 3 - And distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.

Prayer: Almighty God, grant to all those in leadership positions especially in our country, a benevolent heart for their subjects in Jesus name. Amen. 

REWARD FOR GENEROSITY

  

REWARD FOR GENEROSITY                                Tuesday April 7, 2015

Text: Proverbs 11:25                                           Memory verse: v 25

We shouldn’t give ourselves trouble about the reward of our lives rather we should do our duty faithfully, and lovingly, all the days; then God will reward our fidelity. Knowledge of this truth will help us to live well and overcome greed and all other vices associated with wealth acquisition. This text suggests that the generous will be rewarded for their services of love rendered to the needy because they did for God. No true service done in this world in Christ’s name will fail of blessings and rewards. Even the acts which seem to have been of no avail will leave a benediction somewhere.

Helen Hunt Jackson writes: “I am a humble pensioner, myself, for my daily bread; shall I forget my brothers who seem in greater need? I know not how it happened that I have more than they, unless God meant that I should give a part away. The humblest wayside beggar and I have wants the same, close side by side we walked when God called out one name. So, brother, it but happened the name he called was mine; the food was given for both – here, half of it is thine.” If your kind word or deed blesses no other, the doing of it will bless your heart. Though your efforts do no good to the one you meant to help, it may touch another life. Our wayside seed-sowing is not lost.

Food for Thought: When you are not liberal with what you have now, you cannot be liberal if he had more. Always share what you have.

Prayer: God, grant me a generous heart and never to be stingy.