Give God Your Wallet
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
-- 2 Corinthians 9:6
I know a lot of really stingy Christians. I find it appalling, especially when I sometimes see that same stinginess coming out in me.
God has given me so much. And yet sometimes I want to keep it all to myself. I don't want to share. Someone else who has more than I do should give extra, I tell myself. I've already given more than my part, I whine. I get so upset at myself. I know I can always find a little more to give to someone who has less than me.
I know. Everyone wants money. I'm sure most of the causes are worthy and true. We want to help our church. We want to find a cure for cancer and heart disease and diabetes. We want to provide food for the hungry, housing for the poor, and electricity for the elderly. It's hard to know where to start, much less how much to give where. It seems overwhelming -- so we do little or nothing. It's not okay.
I realize most of us don't have the financial resources to give to everyone and everything, no matter how worthy the cause. But we can pray about it. We can ask God where we should plant the resources He has given us. And we can trust Him to provide whatever it is we're supposed to give.
That's difficult for me but, earlier this year, I did it anyway. I don't like to commit to anything financial. I tithe 10 percent and pay insurance. That's about it. Everything else is pay cash as I go. I don't want payments of any kind. But I felt that nudge to commit a regular sum to HIS Radio 94.3. I didn't wnat to do it. I told God so. My income is so up and down. What if I couldn't pay one month? I would feel awful and let down people counting on my meager donation. But God wouldn't give in so I made the call and the commitment. Guess what? I've always had the money. He provides a way for me to do what He called me to do.
Why are we so afraid to step out in faith? Do we not trust ourselves to do the work? Or do we not trust God to keep His promises? Neither sounds particularly worthy. It frankly makes me squirm. I do trust God. I do. But I am reminded of the passage in Mark where the father asks Jesus to heal his son if He can. "If I can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." I repeat His words to myself over and over again.
It's difficult to step out in faith, especially when it involves money. Do it anyway.
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