Living in the Word – Prayer Devotional for Giving

 

Living in the Word – Prayer Devotional for Giving

We can give our time, energy, effort, strength, love, items, finances, and ourselves. But with what kind of heart determines the fruit of our giving.

We can be begrudged and willful and give merely because it is expected or required of us. And our fruit will be bitter or rotten.

We can be boastful and braggadocios about our giving to gain accolades and status. But our fruit will not be sweet or hearty.

Only when we give with a heart of love and compassion for the other person and in reverence towards God who tells us to give freely, will our fruit be ripe and plentiful. Then, not only will others benefit but so will you and the kingdom of God.

Take the time to read the below bible scriptures and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your own bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.

2 Corinthians 8:11-12

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Matthew 6:1-4

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Proverbs 22:9

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Proverbs 11:24-25

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Acts 20:35

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said; ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

I sincerely pray that these bible verses meet you where you are today and help you to give to others willingly and in love. A simple act can provide tremendous support for someone else.

God bless,

Melissa