Are you giving God your LeFToVerS?
make fun of me, but that’s not what
I’m talking about. It’s so easy to give God our LEFTOVERS… Everyone is busy…but are we too busy for God? Yesterday, I worked
13hrs, today I’ll work 15hrs,…training for a ½ marathon, planning fundraisers,
etc. I’m running on fumes, but that’s no
excuse for me to put God on the back burner.
What are we making our “god“…family,
work, friends, finances, TV, facebook, the World Race, etc…? Don’t get me
wrong all these things are good, but they shouldn’t come before God. Remember,
our God is a jealous God. (Take time to jot down all the things you did today.
What does it look like? Did you spend quality time with God?)
Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Lately, God has been convicting me about not spending enough
quality
time with him. I say that he is number one in my life, but so many times it’s
actually ME that I put first. If I’m not willing to spend time building a
relationship with him and reading his word why do I expect him to listen to my lay-me-down
to sleep prayers? You know the ones where you drift in and out of consciousness…
The same goes for our finances. We are supposed to give God our
FIRST 10%…not what’s LEFTOVER. Why do
we expect God to bless us if we don’t first give him what is his? We shouldn’t
do it just because it’s in the Bible, but because we want to. God loves a
cheerful giver.
Malachi 3:7-9
Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away
from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to
you,” says the LORD Almighty.
“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
“Will a man rob
God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’
“In
tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-the whole nation of you-because
you are robbing me.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man
should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace
abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work.
When money is tight my first instinct is to make an IOU to
God. “God I’ll pay you when I get my next paycheck otherwise I can’t pay my bills.”
(That’s me trying to negotiate with God) Where is the faith in that? NO! It should
be the opposite. When I ask God to bless me financially I should give more and
trust that he will provide. Easier said than done…especially when it’s over
$13,800. (side note: I only have around $800 in my account, but I know God
wants me to go on the WR so it will come).
Mark 12:41-43
put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many
rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very
small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his
disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has
put more into the treasury than all the others.
(Sorry it’s so long/scatter brained like I said I’m running
on fumes.)
