GIVE GENEROUSLY

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
"His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’" Matthew 25:23; In context: Matthew 25:14-30
"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
“The measure of a life after all is not its duration, but its donation.” Corrie Ten Boom

Listen to/ and/or read "When You Give More Than Money, You’re More Like Christ" from Life Over Coffee. "If money is the only thing we think about regarding giving, we will miss out on some of the most incredible life experiences we could have. God is calling all believers to a level of generosity that touches every sphere of our lives, not just our finances. When we get to this generous place with our walk with the Lord, we are about as Christlike as we can become."
Read "Generosity – More Than Money Can Buy" by James Clark at the Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics. "Every person has something of value to give, and we always have the opportunity to be generous to others, regardless of financial resources."
Read "The Joy of Generosity" by Todd Harper at the C.S. Lewis Institute.
Contemplate Matthew 25:14-30 as you read the following two quotes: “We make our journey through life in anticipation of the conclusion … ’Well done good and faithful servant” (Alistair Begg); “Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.” (Jonathan Edwards).

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" 2 Corinthians 13:5.
"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24.
Examine your heart when it comes to sharing the Gospel for motives, concerns, readiness, and equipment.
Specific to this challenge, giving generously is about giving a sacrificial offering the Lord. Let God lead you in what to give, how to give, and where to give. Ask Him to make your heart joyful in giving.

"Heavenly Father, Our generous Provider, There is nothing I have that has not come from Your hand. Every act of generosity on my part Is only a response to the generosity with which You have already blessed me. I reject the image of success, Into which this world tries to shape me. An image defined by wealth, status, and power. Instead, I ask that you would remake me in Your image. An image defined by generosity, humility, and servanthood. May I model my giving on the One who gave it all. And may others see in me a glimpse of your character,
against which the riches of this world seem dull and worthless. Would you cultivate in me a spirit of contentment? Help me not to strive for more and more, but grow in gratitude, for all the ways you have blessed me. Would you mold within me a generous heart, empowering me to give sacrificially, not under compulsion, but in joy and faith. Amen. " (From Christ Church London).

READY: Now that you have studied Biblically, trained Spiritually, examined your heart, and prayed over this challenge, you are ready to undertake giving generously. You equipped yourself Spiritually, mentally, and physically, so get ready to go girl! This is a tough challenge! If you don't feel ready, trust that God has set you up to succeed!
SET: When God sent Moses with a message, Moses knew it may not be received or go well for him, to the point that in Exodus 4, Moses complained, "I am slow of speech and tongue” and said to the Lord, "Please send someone else". But Moses did go! Moses was later described as being "powerful in speech and action" (Acts 7:22). When it comes to giving generously, you may think, "Please ask someone else" or "Please ask anything else of me" but God is calling you and will overcome your fears and faults to work through you. When we trust God, our inadequacy becomes our legacy.

In what ways did you give generously?
How can you give generously in the future?
What did you learn from giving generously?
How can you make giving generously a lifelong discipline?
Pray to persevere in giving generously.
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36

GIVE GENEROUSLY: DONATE TIME, MONEY, OR ITEMS 16 TIMES