To Freely Give

TO FREELY GIVE

a prayer to open

Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true.

Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true.

Praise the LORD!

How joyful are those who fear the LORD

and delight in obeying his commands.

Their children will be successful everywhere;

an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.

They themselves will be wealthy,

and their good deeds will last forever.

Light shines in the darkness for the godly.

They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.

Good comes to those who lend money generously

and conduct their business fairly.

Such people will not be overcome by evil.

Those who are righteous will be long remembered.

They do not fear bad news;

they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.

They are confident and fearless

and can face their foes triumphantly.

They share freely and give generously to those in need.

Their good deeds will be remembered forever.

They will have influence and honor.

The wicked will see this and be infuriated.

They will grind their teeth in anger;

they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

Flip on your television or radio any time of day, and within minutes you are likely to hear about two things: spending and saving. Both are a necessary part of life, of course, but how often are we encouraged in our culture to give generously and freely? God’s Word says far more about giving than about spending or saving. In this psalm, we are reminded not only of God’s heart for the poor but also of how giving affects the human heart. Those who are generous and lend freely will have no fear of bad news, their hearts will remain steadfast and secure, and they will trust the Lord. In other words, although we associate giving with a loss of something (money, time, energy), it actually results in gains (security, trust, peace). How might our lives be shaped if we realized that giving freely and generously will result in great gains for our hearts and souls?

• Read this passage again slowly. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think that word or phrase speaks to you? What does it say?
• When you give of your money, time, or energy, what do you feel you are sacrificing? What most often keeps you from giving to those who are poor?
• Reflect on a time you gave freely and generously. How did you feel? How did you experience God in the midst of your giving?

Lord, expand my heart to love and give freely to those beyond my friends and family. Give me eyes to see need and a heart that longs to respond generously even if it means sacrifice or discomfort. Grow my trust in you, banish all fear that causes me to cling to that which is “mine,” and fill me with a desire to give. Use my money, my gifts, and my time—all of which are yours—to build your Kingdom and extend your love to those who need it most. Amen.