Friday, January 10, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: John 5
Did you get bombarded at the end of the year with requests for giving? My inbox was full-to-overflowing with donation requests on December 31st. Some I opted to contribute to, and others I didn’t. Not because it wasn’t a good cause, but because I, probably like you, have a finite amount of funds.
Our giving to God is different though, or it’s supposed to be. When I was new to the faith, I didn’t really understand what tithing was all about. I just knew I was “supposed to.” My giving was done out of obligation and only if I had something left over. I gave God whatever I could scrounge and hoped he’d understand. I was a poor college student after all.
Over the years, and after some really great teaching on the subject, I’ve learned that giving should be a response of gratitude for what God did for us and offered as a response to his love. It's an opportunity to trust God, knowing he will care for us.
Philippians 4:19
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Tithing is a leap of faith for sure! Personally, it took some work with my husband to wrangle our finances and prioritize where our money went, putting God first. But the practice grew our faith tremendously and strengthened our marriage as we worked toward a common goal.
This mindset is a challenge—especially when money is tight—but what would it look like to trust God with your finances in 2025? How could this be a response to the gift God has offered you through Christ?
This week we read about laying our burdens at the cross, communion, prayer, worshiping through song, and giving as responses to God’s love and provision. Write down the three that resonated with you the most.
Which one would be the easiest to implement? Which one is the most challenging? Consider one step you can take with each.
21 Days of Prayer:
Day 5—Heart
Today’s Prayer Focus: To Search my Heart (Psalm 139:23-24)
Today’s Prayer:
Heavenly Father, as I come to know and trust you more, help me to reflect your love through my thoughts and actions. Search my heart. Find anything in me that is offensive to you and help me remove it from my life. Lead me to live a life that draws people to you. Help me live my life on Earth in a way that impacts eternity. In Jesus' name, amen.
This post was written by Kelly Pagel, director of the LivingItOut.