June 17-Purposeful Living
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
How can giving break the power of money in one’s life? by Todd Harper, President of Generous Giving
“It is more blessed to give than to receive†(Acts 20:35b).
These simple words of Jesus provide the key to freedom and joy in our relationship with money. Though this is a well-known verse, few Christ-followers truly know, understand, and apply this truth in their everyday lives.
In more than 20 years of working with givers, I have observed that ambivalence towards the words of Jesus is not due to lack of belief, rather it is because we have been caught up in the power of money for far too long. The term “blessed†isn’t even all that accessible anymore due to its overuse, so I prefer Randy Alcorn’s helpful definition — he translates “blessed†as “happy-makingâ€.
Money, or the love of money rather, breeds many things that are anti-blessed or not “happy-makingâ€. Money has the tendency to isolate and cause anxiety. It has power in our lives because we believe it can fulfill, protect, give control, and ultimately satisfy. It whispers in our ear that without it, we won’t be happy or secure. The love of money or the pursuit of ever-more money creates an atmosphere that all too often takes God, and our dependence on Him, out of the equation. So how can giving break the power of money in our lives?
June 18-Purposeful Living
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
How can giving break the power of money in one’s life? by Todd Harper, President of Generous Giving
I would suggest that giving can break the power of money in three ways:
Giving reveals the power of grace
By joyfully giving we begin to recognize the gifts we have already been given by our Heavenly Father. John 3:16, a well-known verse, sums it up perfectly as it begins with these words, “For God so loved the world that he gave...†To the degree that we see how Jesus, the King of the universe, was willing to give up everything He had for us because we were His treasured possession, is the degree to which we will recognize how the promises of money pale in comparison.
As C.S. Lewis so aptly put it in The Weight of Glory:
“It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.â€
Giving reminds us what true riches look like and reveals that money has nothing to offer us that compares to the amount of love and fulfillment that Christ gives to us.
June 19-Purposeful Living
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
How can giving break the power of money in one’s life? by Todd Harper, President of Generous Giving
Giving challenges our beliefs of who is really in charge
The act of giving something away is a statement that we are free. That thing doesn’t own us. The same can be said of money. Giving money away represents an act of faith and demonstrates that money does not own us.
Deeper still, by giving we proclaim that we put our trust in something other than money — our Heavenly Father — to give us those things that money claims to give. Giving sacrificially creates dependence on the loving, gracious God to provide for our needs, as we share with those around us. It breaks through our self-reliance and the feelings of control that money falsely creates, and instead breathes freedom and joy into the isolating, anxious atmosphere of our false self-sufficiency.
Giving begins a life-giving conversation with the Giver
If we believe that what we have has been given to us to manage, then wouldn’t it make sense to talk to the One who owns it to learn how He wants it to be used? It is through this conversation by the Holy Spirit that the daily journey of generosity is walked out. Through this conversation with our Creator, we experience His blessedness and escape the allure of money in our lives.
The power of money and the desire for self-sufficiency are as old as Adam. There is no one-time fix, yet there is great hope. Jesus was clear that it is more blessed to give than to receive. As we put His teaching into practice, we open the door to those things that relentlessly break the power of money in our lives: the grace of Jesus Christ, dependence on God the Father, and a daily conversation by the Holy Spirit.
June 20-Purposeful Living
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
What does it mean to be rich toward God? by Keith R. Krell, pastor and professor
Life seems preoccupied with money. We work for it, spend it, save it, dream about it, and stress over it. Nearly everyone obsesses with making just one dollar more. Aware of our dangerous fixation with the almighty dollar, Jesus taught more about money than any other topic, including faith, prayer, heaven, or hell. Nearly half of His parables relate to handling money and possessions.
In one of Jesus’ most memorable parables, known as “The Rich Fool†(see Luke 12:16–21), we read about a wealthy farmer who ignored God and lived only for himself. He was not “rich toward God†(Luke 12:21). This farmer made at least four mistakes.
First, he failed to acknowledge God’s generous provisions. God blessed him with his harvest, yet he did not express appreciation or even recognize God as the Provider.
Second, the farmer assumed that he was in charge of his wealth and possessions. The pronoun “my†occurs four times in Jesus’ story and the word “I†occurs eight. Such independence is often the natural product of “earned†wealth.
Third, the farmer thought he had plenty of time. He claimed to have “plenty of grain laid up for many years†(Luke 12:19). This man was so busy planning out his comfortable future that he forgot his need for true “life†(Luke 12:15).
Finally, the farmer didn’t share his abundance, but kept it for his own private use. He showed no concern or responsibility for others.
In response to the farmer’s attitudes and actions, “God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself†(Luke 12:20)? Jesus concludes the lesson of the story with sobering words, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God†(Luke 12:21). It’s tragic when people are rich in this life but poor with regard to the next. So, what does it mean to be “rich toward God�
June 21-Purposeful Living
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
What does it mean to be rich toward God? by Keith R. Krell, pastor and professor
So, what does it mean to be “rich toward God�
Exercise Humility
Don’t be proud and assume that you’re a self-made person. Deuteronomy 8:18 declares that God gives us the ability to make wealth. Thus, credit Him for both the strength to earn, and all He supplies. Furthermore, Paul states that those who are rich shouldn’t be conceited about their wealth, “nor to put their hope in wealth, which is uncertain†(1 Timothy 6:17a). As Proverbs 23:5 declares, “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.†Wealth can quickly disappear. Hence, exercise humility by trusting in God, not gold.
Cultivate Contentment
As the saying goes, “We live in one of two tents: either we’re content or we’re discontent.†Sadly, too often we want something more or something other than God’s provision. Yet, we can’t take earthly wealth with us into eternity, so we must learn to be content in food and covering.
1 Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.â€
A question worth asking in connection with material pursuit is, “Is this a need or a greed?â€
June 22-Purposeful Living
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
What does it mean to be rich toward God? by Keith R. Krell, pastor and professor
So, what does it mean to be “rich toward God�
Practice Generosity
Being rich toward God means using wealth to carry out His priorities. Paul writes we are “to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share†(1 Timothy 6:18). We’re most like God when we’re generous. What has God given you to invest in others? Andrew Murray aptly said in God’s Power Today, “We ask how much a man gives; Christ asks how much he keeps.â€
Forward Treasure
Jesus and Paul never said to stop storing up treasure. But they do instruct us to store it up in heaven rather than on earth.
1 Timothy 6:17-19, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.â€
A real estate agent utters three golden words in connection with purchasing a home: location, location, and location. This also applies when it comes to setting aside treasure. Storing up treasures on earth is foolish; storing up treasures in heaven is wise.
In Directions for Daily Communion with God, Matthew Henry stated, “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day.†And missionary Jim Elliott said it this way in his journal: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.†You can’t take riches with you, but you can forward them on ahead of you!
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
How can giving break the power of money in one’s life? by Todd Harper, President of Generous Giving
“It is more blessed to give than to receive†(Acts 20:35b).
These simple words of Jesus provide the key to freedom and joy in our relationship with money. Though this is a well-known verse, few Christ-followers truly know, understand, and apply this truth in their everyday lives.
In more than 20 years of working with givers, I have observed that ambivalence towards the words of Jesus is not due to lack of belief, rather it is because we have been caught up in the power of money for far too long. The term “blessed†isn’t even all that accessible anymore due to its overuse, so I prefer Randy Alcorn’s helpful definition — he translates “blessed†as “happy-makingâ€.
Money, or the love of money rather, breeds many things that are anti-blessed or not “happy-makingâ€. Money has the tendency to isolate and cause anxiety. It has power in our lives because we believe it can fulfill, protect, give control, and ultimately satisfy. It whispers in our ear that without it, we won’t be happy or secure. The love of money or the pursuit of ever-more money creates an atmosphere that all too often takes God, and our dependence on Him, out of the equation. So how can giving break the power of money in our lives?
June 18-Purposeful Living
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
How can giving break the power of money in one’s life? by Todd Harper, President of Generous Giving
I would suggest that giving can break the power of money in three ways:
Giving reveals the power of grace
By joyfully giving we begin to recognize the gifts we have already been given by our Heavenly Father. John 3:16, a well-known verse, sums it up perfectly as it begins with these words, “For God so loved the world that he gave...†To the degree that we see how Jesus, the King of the universe, was willing to give up everything He had for us because we were His treasured possession, is the degree to which we will recognize how the promises of money pale in comparison.
As C.S. Lewis so aptly put it in The Weight of Glory:
“It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.â€
Giving reminds us what true riches look like and reveals that money has nothing to offer us that compares to the amount of love and fulfillment that Christ gives to us.
June 19-Purposeful Living
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
How can giving break the power of money in one’s life? by Todd Harper, President of Generous Giving
Giving challenges our beliefs of who is really in charge
The act of giving something away is a statement that we are free. That thing doesn’t own us. The same can be said of money. Giving money away represents an act of faith and demonstrates that money does not own us.
Deeper still, by giving we proclaim that we put our trust in something other than money — our Heavenly Father — to give us those things that money claims to give. Giving sacrificially creates dependence on the loving, gracious God to provide for our needs, as we share with those around us. It breaks through our self-reliance and the feelings of control that money falsely creates, and instead breathes freedom and joy into the isolating, anxious atmosphere of our false self-sufficiency.
Giving begins a life-giving conversation with the Giver
If we believe that what we have has been given to us to manage, then wouldn’t it make sense to talk to the One who owns it to learn how He wants it to be used? It is through this conversation by the Holy Spirit that the daily journey of generosity is walked out. Through this conversation with our Creator, we experience His blessedness and escape the allure of money in our lives.
The power of money and the desire for self-sufficiency are as old as Adam. There is no one-time fix, yet there is great hope. Jesus was clear that it is more blessed to give than to receive. As we put His teaching into practice, we open the door to those things that relentlessly break the power of money in our lives: the grace of Jesus Christ, dependence on God the Father, and a daily conversation by the Holy Spirit.
June 20-Purposeful Living
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
What does it mean to be rich toward God? by Keith R. Krell, pastor and professor
Life seems preoccupied with money. We work for it, spend it, save it, dream about it, and stress over it. Nearly everyone obsesses with making just one dollar more. Aware of our dangerous fixation with the almighty dollar, Jesus taught more about money than any other topic, including faith, prayer, heaven, or hell. Nearly half of His parables relate to handling money and possessions.
In one of Jesus’ most memorable parables, known as “The Rich Fool†(see Luke 12:16–21), we read about a wealthy farmer who ignored God and lived only for himself. He was not “rich toward God†(Luke 12:21). This farmer made at least four mistakes.
First, he failed to acknowledge God’s generous provisions. God blessed him with his harvest, yet he did not express appreciation or even recognize God as the Provider.
Second, the farmer assumed that he was in charge of his wealth and possessions. The pronoun “my†occurs four times in Jesus’ story and the word “I†occurs eight. Such independence is often the natural product of “earned†wealth.
Third, the farmer thought he had plenty of time. He claimed to have “plenty of grain laid up for many years†(Luke 12:19). This man was so busy planning out his comfortable future that he forgot his need for true “life†(Luke 12:15).
Finally, the farmer didn’t share his abundance, but kept it for his own private use. He showed no concern or responsibility for others.
In response to the farmer’s attitudes and actions, “God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself†(Luke 12:20)? Jesus concludes the lesson of the story with sobering words, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God†(Luke 12:21). It’s tragic when people are rich in this life but poor with regard to the next. So, what does it mean to be “rich toward God�
June 21-Purposeful Living
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
What does it mean to be rich toward God? by Keith R. Krell, pastor and professor
So, what does it mean to be “rich toward God�
Exercise Humility
Don’t be proud and assume that you’re a self-made person. Deuteronomy 8:18 declares that God gives us the ability to make wealth. Thus, credit Him for both the strength to earn, and all He supplies. Furthermore, Paul states that those who are rich shouldn’t be conceited about their wealth, “nor to put their hope in wealth, which is uncertain†(1 Timothy 6:17a). As Proverbs 23:5 declares, “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.†Wealth can quickly disappear. Hence, exercise humility by trusting in God, not gold.
Cultivate Contentment
As the saying goes, “We live in one of two tents: either we’re content or we’re discontent.†Sadly, too often we want something more or something other than God’s provision. Yet, we can’t take earthly wealth with us into eternity, so we must learn to be content in food and covering.
1 Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.â€
A question worth asking in connection with material pursuit is, “Is this a need or a greed?â€
June 22-Purposeful Living
Edited by Gary G. Hoag and Tim MacReady
What does it mean to be rich toward God? by Keith R. Krell, pastor and professor
So, what does it mean to be “rich toward God�
Practice Generosity
Being rich toward God means using wealth to carry out His priorities. Paul writes we are “to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share†(1 Timothy 6:18). We’re most like God when we’re generous. What has God given you to invest in others? Andrew Murray aptly said in God’s Power Today, “We ask how much a man gives; Christ asks how much he keeps.â€
Forward Treasure
Jesus and Paul never said to stop storing up treasure. But they do instruct us to store it up in heaven rather than on earth.
1 Timothy 6:17-19, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.â€
A real estate agent utters three golden words in connection with purchasing a home: location, location, and location. This also applies when it comes to setting aside treasure. Storing up treasures on earth is foolish; storing up treasures in heaven is wise.
In Directions for Daily Communion with God, Matthew Henry stated, “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day.†And missionary Jim Elliott said it this way in his journal: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.†You can’t take riches with you, but you can forward them on ahead of you!
Posted in Daily Devotionals