The Heart of God

Read

Proverbs 1:19, "So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners."

Think

"Greed is the one sin that starts off ugly, and it ends ugly!" The mythical King Midas had everything he could possibly want – a luxurious castle, wealth, power and a daughter he adored. Yet, he still wasn't satisfied and wanted more. One day a "god" showed up and granted him one wish, so he wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. But the greedy king didn't think through all the possible implications and, to his horror, the moment he hugged his daughter, she turned into solid gold. As much as we hate to admit it, we all suffer from varying degrees of Midas-itis. But there is a cure....generosity. Generosity is the antithesis of greed. Our King, Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us, is purely generous in nature. If Jesus reigns in our lives, then his generosity lives in us through the Holy Spirit. And the more we grow in our relationship with him, the more our own nature shifts from "living to get" to "living to give." Our hearts are never more aligned with God's than when we practice generosity. How are you reflecting God's heart today?

Act

In the following passage, the apostle Paul is advising Timothy on what he needs to communicate to the Christians in Ephesus. As part of the same body of Christ, spend some time today reflecting on Paul's words: "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." (1Timothy 6:18-19)

Pray

Dear Lord, thank you for your generosity. I want to reflect your heart in everything I say and do. May your nature and willingness to give flow through me and into the lives of others today. Amen.