Financial Planning for Singles: Sharing with Others
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Today's Scripture
"Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God." 2 Corinthians 9:11 NLT
Thoughts for Today
When God gives us money on this earth, He wants us to use it for eternal purposes as well as for our immediate needs. Matthew 6 tells us that when we do this, we are storing up treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt. Besides the tithe, we need to set something aside to help others.
God gives us an income not just to meet our own needs but also so we may be able to be generous to others. Singles with more disposable income may be able to give a greater percentage to these efforts. Single parents on tight budgets may have little to give. Jesus complimented the widow in Luke 21 not for the amount she gave but because she wanted to honor God with her gift even amid her poverty. The important thing is not how much we give but that we give something regularly. Everyone, not just singles, should invest in the lives of others. Our gifts might include money, material goods, and time.
Consider this ...
The amount we give is not nearly as important as our willingness to share what we have--and the motive behind our giving. God loves a cheerful giver!
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 NLT
Prayer
Father, forgive me for sometimes focusing on my own needs and wants to the point I am not sensitive to the needs of others. Help me to show Jesus' love to others by giving generously and cheerfully of my time and money. In Jesus' name ...
These thoughts were drawn from ... The Single Christian: Living as One in a World of Twos by Dr. Elizabeth Holland. In a world where everyone seems to have a mate, it is difficult to live life as a single person. Whether you have never been married, are divorced or are widowed, this study is for you. In The Single Christian, Dr. Holland examines many of the different facets of singleness, from rejection; bitterness and unforgiveness; loneliness; to dating; single parenting and the positives of being single. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals.
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