The thing God wants for us more than anything else is to reflect his heart. And his heart is one of boundless generosity. We’ll discuss that today on MoneyWise. 
<ul><li>On our Monday programs, we like to get back to “first principles” — to talk about foundational truths that undergird the other things we discuss on this program.</li><li>When it comes to money, there are only about five general ways you interact with it: <ul><li>1. You can earn it</li><li>2. Use it to live on</li><li>3. Give it away</li><li>4. Pay it to someone you owe</li><li>5. Or you can invest it so that it can grow to meet future needs.</li></ul></li><li>So far this month, we’ve covered “earn” and “live.” On this episode, we want to talk about “give.”</li><li>Maybe you’ve heard someone say something like, “Why should I give to the church? I need the money more than they do!”</li><li>WHAT GOD REALLY WANTS</li><li>Christian giving isn’t about something God wants from us. It is about what God wants for us.</li><li>And what does he want? Ultimately, he wants us to be like him. That’s what Christian discipleship and the work of the Holy Spirit is all about — molding and making us, day by day, more like the Lord himself — the One whose very nature is to give.</li><li>God is the great giver. Why did he create the universe? Why did he make the human race? Why did he send Jesus to us?</li><li>All of these things flow from his boundless generosity and love. And this generous God wants us to be like him.</li><li>The Apostle Peter says we who have come to Christ have become “partakers of the divine nature.” There are many implications of that, but among them is that the very generosity of God should flow through us. That includes giving financially to support God’s work in the world.</li><li>Unfortunately, many Christians think of giving as a burden — as something “they have to do.” No, it is something we get to do. Giving is a privilege. And it helps us, when done with the right attitude, to experience the joy of generosity, and become people who delight, as God does, in giving freely.</li><li>BEING A WISE STEWARD</li><li>Being a generous giver is facilitated by being a wise and faithful steward in every area of your finances. If you plan well, spend wisely, and avoid debt, you can more easily grow in generosity.</li><li>And by growing in generosity, you’ll become more and more Christlike. And that is exactly what God wants for you.</li><li>18th-century preacher and theologian John Wesley. I did this a couple of weeks ago as well. One of his famous sermons is called “The Use of Money.” In it, he says, "Having, first, gained all you can, and secondly saved all you can, then give all you can."</li><li>There is something implicit in what he is saying — and that is wise money management.</li><li>The only way you can save all you can is by managing your earnings wisely. And that also holds for giving all you can. If you learn to manage money well, you’ll be able to give more.</li><li>Giving money away will make you a more joyful person. Because as you grow in generosity, you will become more and more like the person God intends you to be.</li><li>In 2nd Corinthians 9:7, the Apostle Paul writes this: “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.”</li><li>Giving reluctantly or under compulsion misses the whole point. The God who has given to us so freely — to the extent of giving his only begotten Son for us — wants us to give freely too.</li><li>Now, if you find it difficult to give cheerfully, let me urge you to take that to the Lord. Ask him to make your heart like his heart. That might not happen overnight. But if you keep up that prayer, I am confident that God will answer. You’ll become a cheerful giver — and be more like him.</li></ul>On this program, Rob also answers listener questions: 
<ul><li>Are you taxed on the proceeds from the sale of a home?</li><li>Does it make sense to take money out of a TSA to pay off a mortgage?</li><li>Can you sell your home to an adult child for a predetermined price regardless of the appraised value of the house?</li></ul>RESOURCES MENTIONED: 
<ul><li><a href="https://www.moneywise.org/find">Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor</a> </li></ul>Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000 or email them to <a href="mailto:questions@moneywise.org">Questions@MoneyWise.org</a>. Also, visit our website at <a href="http://moneywise.org/">MoneyWise.org</a> where you can connect with a MoneyWise Coach, join the MoneyWise Community, and even download the free MoneyWise app.

FaithFi

Faith & Finance is a daily radio ministry hosted by Rob West. The program offers a practical, biblical and good-natured approach to managing your time, talents and resources.

Faith & Finance with Rob West

The thing God wants for us more than anything else is to reflect His heart. And His heart is one of boundless generosity. We often think it’s about God wanting something from us but really, it’s about him wanting something for us.

Christian Giving Is About What God Wants For Us

FaithFi | Aug 13, 2022

Show Notes

Where Faith Meets Finance

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