Some people are called to extravagant giving.

Read the following verses.  Think and pray about the verse that applies the most to your life.

Matthew 2:11 [The wise men] saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Mark 10:21-25 Jesus looked at him (the young rich man) and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

I Kings 19:19-21 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.

Mark 14:3 A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume (worth a year’s wages), made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on (Jesus’) head.

Acts 4:34-37 From time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. 

Wise men and women still bring HIM gifts.

What is the most precious and financially valuable item(s) in your life? Would you ever consider giving this item so you could worship  the Lord through extravagant generosity?

A Businessman’s #1 Financial Priority

A number of years ago, while serving at a Christian camp, I met Steve, who was part owner in a family business. Steve was one of the most generous people I'd ever met and he gave many large donations to the camp. The family business went through some problems and Steve moved away to another state to start a new company from scratch. I visited him in his new offices and I knew his young company was struggling. During our meeting, he made a commitment to give another generous gift to the camp and I asked him, “Why?” He told me in his career he'd made a lot of money and lost a lot of money, but the only thing that remained constant was His giving to the LORD. Regardless of the ups and downs of the economy and his business, his No. 1 financial priority was to faithfully give to the LORD’s work.

This is a true story in a series of radio spots by Brian Kluth of www.GiveWithJoy.org and www.kluth.org

Bible Reading | 1 min True Story/Audio | Cartoon | Week # 1 Questions, Article, & Worksheet

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