TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.
Acts 4:32 (NLT)
WE GIVE JOYFULLY WHEN WE HAVE AN UNSELFISH HEART
Sometime ago Denalyn, Max Lucado’s wife, bought a monkey. He writes, “I didn’t want a monkey in our house, so I objected. “Where is he going to eat?” I asked. “At our table.” “Where is he going to sleep?” I inquired. “In our bed.” “What about the odor?” I demanded. “I got used to you; I guess the monkey can too.” Unity doesn’t begin in examining others but in examining self. Unity begins, not in demanding that others change, but in admitting that we aren’t so perfect ourselves.
The early church had an unselfish heart. They were a group of people who understood everything they had was a result of God’s graciousness and they didn’t own any of it. God had simply called them to be good stewards of what He blessed them with. As a result, they shared with each other as they had needs.
Reflection
Herman Edwards was an NFL coach. When it came to his thoughts on teamwork he said, “The players that play on this football team will play for the name on the side of the helmet and not the name on the back of the jersey.” In what ways does your giving to others reflect that you are a team player and not a selfish player?
Praise
Praise God for being generous with His grace toward you. Thank God for everything He has allowed you to have and to steward for Him.
