Eagle Brook Church Blog

Good Morning [06.16.11]

[Editor's Note: "Good Morning" is a devotions series from Senior Pastor Bob Merritt. Every morning, Bob journals using the S.A.P. method. For more information on using this tool when reading your Bible, click here.]

Dear Meg, Nelly, Dave and Sara,

God’s been speaking to me about being as generous, giving and influential as I can—not just with money, but with everything’s he’s given me. This has been hard for me. And not with just people I know, but with people I don’t know. Dave was shocked that I stopped and bought lemonade from a little girl’s stand the other day; I generally avoid those things because I’m sure they use their little hands to stir the drink. But when I tipped her double the price I think it made her day. God’s used you to teach me in this area. So, this verse in 2 Corinthians stood out.

Scripture: “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion,” 2 Cor. 9:11.

Application: God’s desire is to make me rich in every way (not necessarily with money)—rich with wisdom, joy, compassion, gifts of teaching, writing and leadership. He wants to increase these things in my life for one reason: SO THAT I can be generous in every way. The goal is to not make me “rich;” the goal is to be as generous in every way as I can.

It’s to constantly look for ways to spread joy, offer help, give others my time, wisdom, direction and some of my energy. What richness do I have that I need to be generous with? What do I have that others could learn from, be helped by, find hope in? God has made me rich in many areas, so that I can be generous whenever an opportunity arises.

Prayer: Lord, give me eyes to see and a heart to care where I need to be more generous. Give me the “want to” and willingness to sacrifice and “give it all away.” Enlarge my capacity and my heart so that I can be more generous on every occasion.

I love you all,

Dad