And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.
Ezekiel 47:12
For the month of July, this devotional will shift from a daily devotional to a weekly devotional. Each week will take a moment to share what we believe God wants to see in North Gate Church. The hope is that you and I might catch the vision, as it’s a vision that God has for His people, regardless of where they live or what community of Christ they engage in. I pray that it’s a blessing to you and draws you closer to God and to His depths. I encourage you to take a moment today to read Ezekiel 47:1-12 to provide some context for this conversation.
The vision for North Gate Church is based upon portions of Ezekiel 47: to see people sourced rightly, healed completely, discipled deeply, and giving generously. This week focuses on “giving generously.”
Giving generously. These two words hold worlds of meaning in each of them.
When we think of giving, many in our culture first think of money. We think of giving as a transfer of funds from one account to another for the purpose of accomplishing something in the life of another. It’s considered giving and not purchasing because nothing is expected in return. Other cultures primarily think of giving possessions when they think of giving. In cultures where bartering serves as the most prevalent way of doing business, giving may look like passing along an extra item without expectation of return. Maybe around Christmas this sort of giving comes to mind more quickly. No matter how you think of giving, there are probably ways outside of how you normally give or think of giving.
When was the last time you thought of giving your time? Giving your skills, abilities, or talents? When was the last time you thought about giving away your knowledge or experience? When you hear about giving, does giving faith come to mind? When we give, what are the limits?
Generously refers to the amount given and the attitude with which you give. If attitude were wrapping paper, is the gift wrapped in love, gratitude, and excitement, or something else? When given, does the gift meet the bare minimum of the need, or is the gift above and beyond?
To generously give time, talents, resources, money, skills, and faith to another, one must give with the right attitude and in the right amount.
In Ezekiel 47, we see the fruit and the leaves of the trees being given to serve others. This ongoing lifestyle of giving is the result of new fruit each month. The fruit is not hoarded, but is given freely as it comes. This generous giving does not come without risk; it requires trust in God. For trees to give their fruit, they are passing along the ability to replicate themselves as the fruit contains seeds. For trees to give up leaves, however, they give away what brings themselves life. Without leaves, trees die. This kind of giving requires trust in God.
We believe that God wants His people to be people who give all of who they are with the right heart to see His Kingdom come. This does not mean we live a life of no boundaries (we are limited after all). To give all that you are at the wrong time could mean your family gets none of who you are. What it means is that when God says to give, we act upon it and we put all that He tells us to give into it even if it looks like risk.
Imagine this:
Two people came into a town. They did not come in together, but they had a similar encounter: they were approached by people riddled with hunger. You see, these people had fallen upon hard times and did not have what they needed to acquire food.
The first person saw the need, walked up to a man, handed him a sandwich, said a prayer for the people of the village and walked away.
The second person saw the need, ordered enough food to feed the entire village a 5-course meal, and dined and laughed with them, sympathizing with their hurts, and wishing them well.
Who gave generously?
This is a difficult question. Who gave above and beyond? Who gave with the right attitude? Who asked God what to give and how much and did so? In real life, only God knows. In my story, the first person gave generously. The first person came from a very poor family, only had a sandwich to eat for that entire day, and gave it cheerfully trusting God that another sandwich would come tomorrow. The second person had the gifts, talents, knowledge, experience, connections, and resources to establish a new industry in that village that would completely disrupt the local economics for the better. Jobs would be created, new trade routes would emerge, auxiliary and complementary industries would sprout, it would serve as an example for other entrepreneurs, and generations would be changed. However, this person chose to give a meal. After praying, and sensing a leading from the Lord to do great things for this village, this person decided to do what was easiest and convenient but would still feel good in the moment.
My story inspires these questions: What is God saying to you today? What need do you see that you could meet? What is your default means of giving? Is it money? Time? Experience? Something else?
Many have given to my family and I. Many have given to North Gate Church to see God’s Kingdom come and will be done in San Diego, California. Our gratitude cannot be expressed enough. I just pray that we live as a people who give generously, passing along the gift of Christ to others and reflecting the generosity shown to us.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to give in a new creative way. Perhaps God is asking you to adjust your attitude when you give. Maybe today God wants to speak to you on when to give and when not to give and how much to give. Maybe someone in your life has run out of faith for the miracle they need and God would have you share your faith with them. Perhaps God wants to redefine giving generously for you today.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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