Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

14 April 2025

Reading From Luke 12:32-59

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

—Luke 12:32-34

     What a different world this would be if God’s people were more faithful to steward their finances according to the wisdom of the Word of the Lord.  Throughout Scripture we see believers who sold everything to give to the Lord’s work, others who sold some possessions, and still others who wisely stewarded what they were entrust by God with so that they continually had increase to give.  However the Lord leads us to give is how and what we should give. 

     There were wealthy men and women who gave resources to support the ministry of Jesus and later the work of the apostles.  If everyone sold everything, there would be no houses to raise children in, no place for elders to reside, and no businesses to generate income.  Some of our fellow disciples today choose to tithe 90% and live on 10%.  Pastor Rick Warren, regardless of whether you agree with everything he believers or does, is a great example of this kind of stewardship and generous lifestyle.  Lydia was an early saint who had a business selling purple cloth and a benefactor of the early church.  The Apostle Paul was a bi-vocational minister and tentmaker. 

     God blesses individuals and families with time, energy, money and other resources that He intends for us to use to support ourselves and families, enjoy, and give to others generously. Money is not meant to be hoarded. It is a tool to be used in godly ways, invested, and shared. 

Does Jesus need our money?  No.  He is God.  He’s able to take five loaves and two fishes and feed over five thousand people.  What He wants is for us to partner with Him in His wonderful work and see the miracles that happen when we trust Him and obey.  When we give Him our five loaves and two fish by following His principles for handling resources, He can multiply what we give and the world is a better place as the churches do His work upon the Earth.

“Lord, show us the way forward in faith as we trust You with the resources You’ve entrusted us with.  Give us knowledge, wisdom, and generous hearts as we steward money.  May we give generously to see Your work move forward and Your Kingdom expand.  As kings and queens in Your Kingdom, bless us as we make decisions regarding our time, talents, energy, money and other resources.  Align our priorities with Yours. In the Name of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords I pray these things, Amen.”

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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.

—II Corinthians 9:6-7