I’ve often asked myself, “How do I know I really believe God is faithful?” I can say the words, “I believe God is faithful,” but a well-trained bird can do that too. So how do I know I really believe that? Hebrews 13:5 says this, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
God is saying, “I’m never going to leave your side. I’m always going to provide for you. I am always going to bring about good in the lives of those who love me. I’ll always be faithful to you.” One way we can know if we really believe God is faithful is if this belief turns us into people who are free from the love of money. That’s what the text is saying. People who really believe God is faithful are free from the love of money. And you know one characteristic of those who are free from the love of money? Generosity. People who really believe God is faithful are free from the love of money and demonstrate that through their generosity.
When you love something you want to hang onto it. Maybe you love your Packers’ memorabilia – you want to hang onto it. Maybe you love your old, classic car – you want to hang onto it. Maybe you love your kids – you want to hang onto them. But you don’t mind parting ways with something you don’t love. That chest cold you’ve got? You want to get rid of it, don’t you? Giants fans? Never mind, let’s not go there. You don’t mind getting rid of the things you don’t love. By getting rid our money we are in effect saying, “I’m free from the love of it because my belief in God’s faithfulness is more than mere words. It’s real heart and mind sold-out conviction.” I would encourage you to think about that before, during, and after you give. I can get rid of the things I don’t love because God is faithful.
And if you are interested in reading even more on this subject, this week I will be giving away two copies of Sex and Money: Pleasures that Leave you Empty and Grace that Satisfies, by Paul David Tripp, along with a personalized message from me. To enter, simply sign in to the Rafflecopter giveaway below and enter either by following me on Twitter, on Instagram, or on both! Winners will be chosen and notified by email next Wednesday. At this time, I do ask that only those living within the 48 contiguous United States enter the giveaway. Thank you for understanding.
