[00:00:00] You are listening to My Devotional, the daily devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading
[00:00:06] the Way.
[00:00:07] Giving From the Heart by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:12] Yesterday we looked at the first two characteristics of heart-giving. First, it is what matters to
[00:00:18] God, and second, it is sacrificial. Third, heart-giving accomplishes much. Think of all
[00:00:26] the people throughout history who have been liberated to give because of the account of
[00:00:30] the widow's offering in Luke 21. Over time, Jesus has used those two small coins to save,
[00:00:37] feed, heal, and encourage many souls. Fourth, heart-giving has its own reward. God
[00:00:44] will not neglect to eternally reward those who give from their heart. 1 Corinthians 3, 11-14
[00:00:50] says that on the last day, all of what we've done for Christ will be lit with a match. If
[00:00:57] what we've done on earth has been sacrificial, it will be like gold and burn brighter in the
[00:01:03] fire. If no sacrifices have been made, it will be like hay, set alight, leaving nothing but
[00:01:08] ashes. Fifth, heart-giving is a great equalizer. There is no virtue in being poor and no virtue
[00:01:17] in being rich. Ultimately, God will hold us all accountable for where we have invested our time
[00:01:22] and our resources and ourselves. Is my giving of myself done willingly, joyfully, and sacrificially,
[00:01:29] or begrudgingly and regretfully? In Christ, we see the perfect picture of generous living. At risk of
[00:01:37] his reputation, he spent his days ministering to sinners and tax collectors rather than making
[00:01:43] friends in high places. The sick came to him. He healed them. As he was mocked, tortured, and betrayed,
[00:01:50] he forgave. And while we were still sinners, completely undeserving of his grace and love,
[00:01:56] he died for us. Jesus' life demonstrated the heart of generous living. He sacrificed his life so that we
[00:02:03] could have life to the full. And now he sits at the right hand of the Father, receiving eternal worship
[00:02:09] for what he did on the cross. God does not need or want our money. He already owns everything.
[00:02:16] What he wants is us, our wholehearted devotion to and trust in him. He wants us to love him and to
[00:02:25] love others with the same kind of love that Jesus demonstrated during this earthly life. That's the
[00:02:31] kind of worship he desires, generous living in response to his generous love. Let's pray together.
[00:02:39] Lord, we pray that our lives would be a picture of generous living in response to your generous
[00:02:45] love. Let our attitude be like that of Christ's. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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