LIVING, LEARNING & LOVING during LENT
Lenten devotionals for March and April. We will focus on a different concept each day of the week: Sundays: Resting/Taking Sabbath Mondays: Fasting Tuesdays: Giving Wednesdays: Serving Thursdays: Praying Fridays: Studying/Learning Saturdays: Celebrating/Playing.
Second Week: Repentance and Renewal
March 18 (Tuesday – Giving)
- Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:7 — 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.
- Reflection: Beware coercion. When you give, do so from a sense of commitment and with the intention to be of service. Don’t give out of shame, or guilt, or in response to inequitable use of power to force such contributions from you. If you feel as if you’re being cornered, manipulated, or forced to give, resist. Take a break. Perhaps take a day to consider, and regain perspective.
Especially be careful to only give what you’re able. Giving should be an aspect of your financial profile, yet you should be thoughtful about risking financial instability. Giving should not endanger the wellbeing of your household, and those who depend on you.
Passion can be a wonderful motivator. Your emotions can be an important influence over your choices. Allow your feelings to be part of how you decide to give to causes.
On the other hand, you are eencouraged to plan out donation. You can also cultivate a practice of giving that is consistent, not motivated simply by emotional impulses, but from ongoing intellectual and spiritual dedication to a cause. Such giving will offer its own sense of fulfillment and conviction when you undertake it. Make your gifts sustainable. Small, consistent gifts add up and may be more manageable than larger impulsive ones. - Spiritual Practice Prompt: Make an in-kind donation to a cause you care about. Maybe add food to a food collection box at the grocery store, or donate essential toiletries to a shelter, or a similar one-time contribution.
Songs:
- Love Like This by Lauren Daigle: https://youtu.be/Br1q_i1RHPU?si=V1yM3dH8YVP3ayNd
The measure of a life is not its duration, but its donation. – Corrie ten Boom.
March 18th Daily Devotional for Lent