Financial Fears
Theme of the Week: Invest in Eternity
Andy Stanley
Thursday, December 6, 2007
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom" Luke 12:32). Bonus Reading: Matthew 17:24-27
The first time I was challenged to give above and beyond, I was a junior in high school. At a Sunday night church service, a nursing student came forward to share a prayer request with my dad, the pastor. God put it on his heart to share out loud her need for nursing-school tuition money.
I felt an internal nudge that I should give her $100.
It felt like jumping off a cliff! I was making $2.90 an hour cleaning the meat department at the local Winn-Dixie, trying to save up for a car. Not to mention, I was already tithing on that. This was about to set me back a month's pay. I felt sure God wanted me to do it, but "What-ifs" filled my mind. What if I never get that car? What if I need the money for something else? What if I change my mind later? What if I'm just being emotional?
In the end I gave her the money. I said, "God, I don't want to be impulsive, but I don't want to let fear get in the way of following Your will when You prompt my heart."
I can't recall anything else I spent $100 on in high school. I certainly don't have anything to show for the other money I spent. But I'll never forget surrendering to God's prompting to give.
—Andy Stanley in Fields of Gold
My Response: How does my giving demonstrate my trust in God to supply my needs?
Thought to Apply: If we would have God open His treasury, we must open ours. —Thomas V. Moore (Puritan author)
Adapted from Fields of Gold (Tyndale, 2004) by permission.
Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Generosity is hard for me, Lord. Teach me to loosen my grasp and share with others what You've loaned to me.
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