Spiritual Practice: Giving

Spiritual Practices are called such because they are actions or activities that we generally must repeat over and over before they become second nature, and we don’t think about them any longer. There are countless resources about how to spend quiet time with God, what to do, trying different devotionals, all to make ‘time with God’ a habit. How do we make giving a habit?

Giving Cheerfully

2 Corinthians 9:7 says, ‘Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ The surrounding passage describes the generosity that God encourages and rewards. But the key to this entire section is the heart decides what to give, when, how much. It isn’t the church, the Joneses, or anyone else who decides what we need to give.

My mother-in-law recently found that the hip pain she was having required her to have several diagnostic appointments. We were pleasantly surprised when neighbors jumped up and offered to take her to these. Indeed, the thought of giving may often be limited to money in our minds, yet it need not be. Giving is about everything from giving a ride home to someone after choir practice or for a doctor’s appointment. It is about giving away gently used clothing or old cars. It is about grace and forgiveness. It is about helping with the vacation Bible school or the prayer group at church.

Giving as Expression of Love

When Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is, his response is to Love God, Love People. Giving is part of how we do that – we give to support God’s kingdom on earth and show his love to the people. Giving our time, treasure, talent and self (what is a good ‘t’ word for that?) with the cheerful heart above is what we are all called to do.

Generosity Challenge

If giving regularly is already part of our habits, perhaps there are other generous ways we can give. Think beyond the money and onto what kindness may be given to another, or what may bless your neighbor. Generosity doesn’t start when we incorporate one habit into our lives, but rather when we consider our lives to generously give.

I recently read that the tip that we form habits in 20 days is grossly exaggerated. It apparently takes 60-ish days to form a habit! Giving has to be something that we practice intentionally for months before it becomes something that is habitual.

By signing up for the newsletter, you will receive access to a printable version of the below reading list of Bible verses about giving and generosity. Join us for a year of Spiritual Practices!

What kind of giving will you try? Leave a comment below to tell us.