Tuesday | Planning | September 8

September 8: Tuesday — Planning

Bible Focus

• 2 Corinthians 8:3, 11–12
• 2 Corinthians 9:7

Summary

• Christian giving should be planned, because faithful giving begins with a decision made beforehand.
• Each person should decide what to give after carefully considering what God has entrusted to them.
• The amount given does not have to be the same for everyone, because people have different resources and circumstances.
• Giving should be proportional to what each person has received from God.
• The Macedonian believers gave according to their means, even though they had very little.
• God does not ask us to give from what we do not have, but He calls us to faithfully use what we have.
• Planning helps us give faithfully, because we are less likely to allow excuses or changing circumstances to control our giving.
• Faithful giving calls us to examine whether we are giving according to our means or holding back when we could give more.

Question

• How can I plan my giving so that I faithfully give according to what God has entrusted to me?

Answer

• I can decide beforehand what to give and set aside a proportion of what God provides instead of giving only when I feel able or willing.

Reflection

• Am I giving according to what God has entrusted to me, or am I using excuses to hold back what I could give?

Takeaway

• Faithful giving is planned in advance and given according to what God has entrusted to us.