Are You a Hoarder?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.” James 5:1-6

 

PONDER THIS

I know some people who are making money, but they don't need any more money. They are really just kind of keeping score, and they don’t want that money in circulation. God wants money in circulation; God wants everything in circulation. There is enough to go around. There is enough to take care of everything, and when God created the world, He made everything with a propensity and the ability to give. The sun gives and we have light. The earth gives and we have life. The trees give and we have air, food, and wood. There is a reciprocal service that God has put into humanity, but some people can’t trust the Lord. They say, “I’ve just got to keep hoarding it up. I’ve just got to keep stashing it away.”

A bell, somebody said, is not a bell until you ring it; a song is not a song until you sing it; love is not love until you give it away; joy is not joy until you share it; and wealth is not really wealth until you spend it. What good is paper sitting around somewhere? Use it for God’s glory!

When have you given generously? How did you receive blessing as a giver?

Why do we wrestle with the temptation to keep money and things to ourselves? Does this reflect God’s heart? Why or why not?

PRACTICE THIS

Pray and ask God who you can give generously to, and act on His answer.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You Teaching Your Children to Give?

PRAY OVER THIS

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

 

PONDER THIS

If you were to clench your hand for a long time, eventually you would feel pain. The relief comes when we let go. So many people go along in life with clenched fists, saying, “That’s mine.” Life is made up of takers and givers. Teach children, and there’s so much they can give. Give them understanding, and they’ll give you understanding. There are many people today who look for someone to understand and care. It’s an amazing thing. Give acceptance. Give forgiveness to your children. Don’t let bitterness poison you and them. Give love. Love means, “I’ll do you good no matter what you do to me.” Teach children to give this way.

John Wesley, founder of Methodism, a great man of God said, “Make all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.” Teach children integrity. Teach children industry. Teach children charity and generosity. Clean up a neighbor’s yard. Help a widow carry groceries inside. Teach children to bring their own money to church. Give them their allowance. Teach them to take out of their allowance a gift. It may not be much, but let the children have the joy of bringing their offerings to the Lord. Exemplify a life of giving.

What lessons have you learned from your parents?

What are some valuable lessons you have received that you want to pass on to the next generation? How can you live as a model?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of children and young people you know and pray for each of them.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers