Giving

Lent is a season of the year on the Church calendar that Christians have been celebrating for hundreds of years. It is a roughly six-week period that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter when we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection. Lent has traditionally been a time of reflection on sin in order to repent and turn to God in gratitude for what he did on the cross at Easter.Many Christians, like myself, who grew up in a liturgical church (you can read more about liturgical churches in this Crosswalk article) are likely familiar with the Lenten season and what it means. But for those who are not, here is a little background:Photo Credit: Unsplash/Alicia Quan

What if fasting this Lent actually transformed your habits, not just your diet? These 10 soul-deep shifts can clear out what is draining you and make space for freedom, peace, and a closer walk with God.

What we may not realize is when we give to others, we actually receive something in return. The things that we receive when we give are often more valuable than anything that we could give to yourselves.

The truth is, we’re all beggars in desperate need of Jesus. God didn’t ignore us or withhold what we need most. He showed compassion and gave His beloved Son. So, how would Jesus respond to beggars? With compassion, mercy, and great love.

You want to give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately. But you need more money to get and stay financially healthy and advance God’s kingdom among the broken. So you need a specific money goal.

The most unbelieved beatitude in the Bible is: “It is more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35). The giver happier than the getter? Surely some mistake?

Jesus, and the Bible itself, has a lot to say on the topic of generosity. But what is it that makes some people more generous, and how can we work in our own lives to be more giving?

Among the central themes of the Bible are money and stewardship.

Boxing Day connects to Christmas because it was the day of Christmas for many poor families. Most of them would receive a gift on the day after Christmas. It causes me to think about Luke 12:48b “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

You do not have to give expensive items or throw elaborate parties in order for your loved ones to feel loved.

Do you see how giving makes us more blessed than getting? We can get so much happiness when we see how God is glorified in our giving and when we see Him bless others through our giving.

It is, of course, good to be thankful once we are through the trial. But when we give thanks in the trial, we will receive the multiplied blessings of courage, strength, and peace beyond human understanding.

Worried you won’t have enough if you tithe? This honest conversation will challenge what you really trust: God or your bank account.

Is it really possible to, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus, as 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages? It seems like God is asking too much of us, especially during times of great disappointments, tremendous losses, or unbearable heartaches. How to we begin to give thanks in everything?